pre·car·i·ous (pr-kâr-s)
adj.
1. Dangerously lacking in security or stability: a precarious posture; precarious footing on the ladder.
2. Subject to chance or unknown conditions: "His kingdom was still precarious; the Danes far from subdued" Christopher Brooke.
3. Based on uncertain, unwarranted, or unproved premises: a precarious solution to a difficult problem.
4. Archaic Dependent on the will or favor of another.
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[From Latin precrius, obtained by entreaty, uncertain, from precr, to entreat; see pray.]
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pre·cari·ous·ly adv.
pre·cari·ous·ness n.