Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
warn — W2S3 [wo:n US wo:rn] v [I and T] [: Old English; Origin: warnian] 1.) to tell someone that something bad or dangerous may happen, so that they can avoid it or prevent it ▪ Be careful, the rocks are slippery, Alex warned. warn sb about sth ▪… … Dictionary of contemporary English
warn — [ wɔrn ] verb intransitive or transitive *** 1. ) to make someone conscious of a possible problem or danger so they will not be hurt: Police are warning all women in the area to be on their guard. warn against: Recent studies warn against… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
warn — warn, forewarn, caution can mean to let one know of ap proaching or possible danger or risk. Warn is the most comprehensive of these terms; in most of its senses it stresses a timely notification that makes possible the avoidance of a dangerous… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
warn´er — warn «wrn», transitive verb. 1. to give notice to in advance; put on guard (against danger, evil, or harm). 2. to give notice to; inform: »The whistle warned visitors that the ship was ready to sail. SYNONYM(S): appraise, notify. 3. to give… … Useful english dictionary
Warn — Warn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Warned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Warning}.] [OE. warnen, warnien, AS. warnian, wearnian, to take heed, to warn; akin to AS. wearn denial, refusal, OS. warning, wernian, to refuse, OHG. warnen, G. warnen to warn, OFries. warna … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
WARN — I verb admonish, advise, alert, apprise, caution, caution against danger, communicate to, counsel, deter, discourage, dissuade, exhort, expostulate, forebode, forewarn, give warning, herald, inform, make aware, notice, notify, portend, predict,… … Law dictionary
Warn — (w[add]rn), v. t. [OE. wernen, AS. weornan, wyrnan. Cf. {Warn} to admonish.] To refuse. [Written also {wern}, {worn}.] [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
warn — (v.) O.E. warnian to give notice of impending danger, also intransitive, to take heed, from W.Gmc. *warnojanan (Cf. O.N. varna to admonish, O.H.G. warnon to take heed, Ger. warnen to warn ); related to O.E. wær aware, cautious (see WARY (Cf … Etymology dictionary
warn — ► VERB 1) inform of a possible danger, problem, etc. 2) give (someone) cautionary advice about actions or conduct. 3) (warn off) order (someone) to keep away or to refrain from doing something. ORIGIN Old English … English terms dictionary
warn — verb is traditionally a transitive verb with a grammatical object corresponding to the person or people receiving the warning: She warned them of the danger / She warned them that it was unsafe. In the 20c an intransitive use with a following… … Modern English usage
warn — [v] give notice of possible occurrence acquaint, address, admonish, advise, advocate, alert, apprise, caution, clue, clue in*, counsel, cry wolf*, deprecate, direct, dissuade, enjoin, exhort, fill in, forbid, forearm, forewarn, give fair warning … New thesaurus
