Word of the Day, July 14: 'Chary'

Word of the Day: CHARY
Pronunciation: UK/ˈtʃeə.ri/ or US/ˈtʃer.i/

Meaning:
'Chary' means cautious, wary, or careful about doing something, especially because of possible risks or consequences.

Examples for daily usage

• She was chary of sharing her personal information online.
• Investors have become chary about putting money into risky startups.

Origin and history

The word originates from the Old English word cearig (meaning "sorrowful, full of care, or careful"). It is rooted in Proto-Germanic and is equivalent to the modern word "care" combined with the suffix "-y"

Cultural significance and modern usage

Originating from the Old English 'cearig' (meaning 'sorrowful' or 'troubled'), the word was heavily associated with grief and worry. Over time, the heavy burden of sorrow naturally shifted into a protective, watchful concern, giving birth to the English word care.

During the 16th century, the cultural meaning flipped to represent things held dear or deeply valued (as used by the dramatist George Peele: "the chariest and the choicest queen").Modern

Today, this sense of cherishing transitioned into caution. To be "chary" implies being hesitant to take risks, slow to part with resources (like praise or money), or highly discerning.

ALSO READ | Word of the Day, July 13: 'Velleity'

Interesting facts:

• Chary is attested in English from the late 13th century, making it a word with more than 700 years of documented use.
• Unlike many formal English adjectives, chary comes from Old English, not from Latin or French.

Examples from literature:

• Men of this calibre appear but at intervals; for "nature is chary in the production of such specimens of dangerous grandeur."- Wild Spain (España agreste) by Abel Chapman and Walter John Buck
• The old lady shook her head and said, with much reserve, "You are wont to be very chary of your confidence, my dear Alice." -The Alpine Fay: A Romance by E. Werner
• "It was a pleasure he was chary enough of to himself," said she, laughing.- Davenport Dunn, a Man of Our Day. Volume 1 (of 2) by Charles Lever
• Some conjurers who do talk during their performances are chary of pattering for a whole minute without doing anything; they think that to do this looks as though they were "holding up" the trick.- Water Wizardry: A collection of tricks in which water is the chief agent by Ainslie
• It had never been expressed in words or demonstration, for of these things the mountaineer is as chary as a grizzly.- The Code of the Mountains by Charles Neville Buck

Synonyms:

• Wary
• Careful
• Cautious
• Alert
• Circumspect
• Heedful

Antonyms:

• Careless
• unmindful
• Heedless

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