cautio
cautio — noun
1. A deal, either spoken or written down, in which one person or organisation promi
A deal, either spoken or written down, in which one person or organisation promises to cover another party's financial losses or damages if something goes wrong.
Before the contractor started work, the developer asked for a cautio to cover any potential losses from delays.
cautio + to-infinitive for covering losses
The supplier signed a cautio promising to repay the advance payment if the goods were not delivered on time.
cautio + participial phrase promising
An oral cautio may be valid under certain legal systems, but written documents are far easier to enforce in court.
Mrs. Kowalski refused to proceed without a proper cautio from the bank guaranteeing her savings against fraud.
- guaranty
A close synonym, used especially in US commercial law for a written promise to pay someone's debt.
- indemnity
Focuses on compensation after a loss has happened, rather than a preventive guarantee.
- surety
Common in legal contexts when a third party takes responsibility for someone else's obligation.
文法句型
cautio + to-infinitive (e.g. cautio to indemnify)
cautio + that-clause
用法筆記
Typically found in formal contracts and legal documents rather than everyday conversation. The written form is almost always preferred for enforceability.
常見錯誤
2. A formal document that serves as proof that money was received, a promise was ma
A formal document that serves as proof that money was received, a promise was made, or a particular situation existed at a given time.
After paying the deposit, Amara received a cautio from the landlord confirming the amount and the date of payment.
cautio of receipt — confirms payment
Each member of the committee signed a cautio acknowledging that they had read the confidentiality agreement.
cautio acknowledging [action]
The old cautio found in the library archives proved that the university had owned the manuscript since 1823.
A simple handwritten cautio can serve as valid proof of a loan between family members in many jurisdictions.
- receipt
More common in everyday usage; narrower because it specifically confirms payment rather than any fact or promise.
- acknowledgment
Slightly broader than cautio; any formal admission of a fact, not just in legal documents.
文法句型
cautio of + noun (e.g. cautio of receipt)
cautio that + clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense emphasises written evidence or acknowledgment rather than a promise to cover losses. The document itself is the focus, not the protection it offers.
常見錯誤
3. A legal arrangement in which someone offers property or a valuable item as a gua
A legal arrangement in which someone offers property or a valuable item as a guarantee that a debt, duty, or financial obligation will be fulfilled.
A shop owner put up her store as a cautio for a bank loan to buy new equipment.
cautio for a loan — property as security
Under the terms of the mortgage, the house itself served as a cautio until the full amount was repaid.
cautio by mortgage
Diego offered his father's antique watch collection as a cautio for the short-term borrowing from the pawnbroker.
The court required land titles as a cautio before releasing the frozen assets.
- pledge
More specific — implies physical delivery of the item as security, whereas cautio may include mortgages where the owner stays in possession.
- mortgage
Limited to real estate; cautio covers a broader range of assets.
- collateral
Refers to the asset itself rather than the agreement; a cautio is the agreement that designates the collateral.
文法句型
cautio for + noun (e.g. cautio for a loan)
cautio by + noun (e.g. cautio by mortgage)
用法筆記
Frequently appears in banking and property law. The asset offered as cautio is called the collateral and can be seized if the debtor fails to pay.
常見錯誤
4. A legally binding promise, typically required by a court, that someone must prot
A legally binding promise, typically required by a court, that someone must protect another person from future loss or harm, or must see that a payment or duty is completed.
The judge ordered the defendant to post a cautio protecting the plaintiff during the appeal.
cautio protecting [person] from [harm] — court-ordered
Before granting bail, the magistrate demanded a cautio from the guarantor for the full fine amount.
cautio covering an amount
Fatima's lawyers argued that the court's cautio was far larger than any realistic loss.
A temporary cautio was issued by the magistrate to protect the elderly tenant while the eviction case was reviewed.
- surety
Often used interchangeably in criminal bail contexts, though surety focuses on the person giving the guarantee.
- bail bond
Narrower in scope — only applies to criminal release; cautio covers civil obligations as well.
- recognizance
A specific type of court-ordered promise without monetary deposit; cautio usually involves a financial stake.
文法句型
cautio imposed by + noun
cautio to + infinitive
用法筆記
Common in procedural law, especially bail hearings and civil protection orders. The person giving the cautio (the guarantor) may be a third party, not necessarily the person under obligation.