Main Entry:

be·ware

Pronunciation:

\bi-ˈwer, bē-\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English been war, from been to be + war careful — more at be, ware

Date:

14th century

intransitive verb : to be on one's guard <beware of the dog> transitive verb 1 : to take care of <beware your wallet> 2 : to be wary of <we must…beware the exceedingly tenuous generalization — Matthew Lipman>