Pre-cā'ri-ous, a.
a. [Lat. precarius, obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, from precari, to pray, beg, from prex, precis, a prayer; Fr. précaire, Pr. precari, Sp. & It. precario.]
Sense 1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another.
Sense 2. Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown or unforeseen causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain. “Intervals of partial and precarious liberty.” Macaulay.
Synonyms—Uncertain; unsettled; unsteady; doubtful; dubious; equivocal.—PRECARIOUS, UNCERTAIN. Precarious is stronger than uncertain. Derived originally from the Latin precari, it first signified “granted to entreaty,” and hence, “wholly dependent on the will of another.” Thus it came to express the highest species of uncertainty, and is applied to such things as depend wholly on future casualties. “This little happiness is so very precarious, that it wholly depends on the will of others.” Addison.
With certain pain, uncertain of relief, True emblem of a wretched lover’s grief. Granville.