Etymology

Noun

1. a warning
   • 1986 March 9, Roy Blount Jr., "Able Were They Ere They Saw Cable", New York Times:

     Two young Harvard M.B.A.'s worked up some highly optimistic projections -- with the caveat that these were speculative and should of course be tested.

2. a qualification or exception

   He gave his daughter some hyacinth bulbs with the caveat that she plant them in the shade.

3. a notice requesting a postponement of a court proceeding
4. a formal notice of interest in land, under a Torrens land-title system

Verb

1. To qualify a particular statement with a proviso or caveat
   • 1. To lodge a formal notice of interest in land, under a Torrens land-title system
        • 1. To issue a notice requesting that proceedings be suspended
             • 1. • 1. To warn or caution against some event
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                              Usage notes

                              • The modern use of "caveat" as a verb meaning "to qualify with a proviso" is often considered awkward or improper. This usage is strongly associated with former US Secretary of State Alexander Haig.
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                                          Verb