Careful, a.
Etymology: [AS. cearful.]
1. Full of care; anxious; solicitous [Archaic] Be careful [Rev. Ver. "anxious"] for nothing. Phil. iv. 6. The careful plowman doubting stands. Milton.
2. Filling with care or colicitube; exposing to concern, anxiety, or trouble; painful. The careful cold beinneth for to creep. Spenser. By Him that raised me to this careful height. Shak.
3. Taking care; gicing good heed; watchful; cautious; provident; not indifferent heedless, or reckless; -- often follower byof, for, or the infinitive; as, careful of money; careful to do right. Thou hast been careful for us with all this care. 2. Kings iv, 13. What could a careful father more have done Dryden.
Syn. -- Anxious; solicitous; provident; thoughtful; cautious; circumspect; heedful; watchful; vigilant.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for careful; he lists it under vigilant.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.