SuaviloquyToday’s word

wary

Wary, a. [Compar. Warier; superl. Wariest.]

Etymology: [OE. war, AS. wær; akin to Icel. v, Dan. & Sw. var, Goth. wars, G. gewahr aware, OHG. wara notice, attention, Gr. Aware, Garment, Garnish, Garrison, Panorama, Ward, v. t. Ware, a., Warren.]

1. Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, artifices, and dangers; timorously or suspiciously prudent; circumspect; scrupulous; careful. "Bear a wary eye." Shak. We should be wary, therefore, what persecution we raise against the living labors of public men. Milton.

2. Characterized by caution; guarded; careful. It behoveth our words to be wary and few. Hooker.

Syn. -- Cautious; circumspect; watchful. See Cautious.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for wary; he lists it under vigilant.

Where he writes about it:

One is vigilant against danger or harm; he may be alert or watchful for good as well as against evil; he is wary in view of suspected stratagem, trickery, or treachery. — from vigilant