n.; pl. Cassowaries [ Malay kasuāri. ] (Zool.) A large bird, of the genus Casuarius, found in the east Indies. It is smaller and stouter than the ostrich. Its head is armed with a kind of helmet of horny substance, consisting of plates overlapping each other, and it has a group of long sharp spines on each wing which are used as defensive organs. It is a shy bird, and runs with great rapidity. Other species inhabit New Guinea, Australia, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Too wary; too cautious. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. Unware. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not vigilant against danger; not wary or cautious; unguarded; precipitate; heedless; careless. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Unexpected; unforeseen; unware. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Warier superl. Wariest. ] [ OE. war, AS. wær; akin to Icel. v&unr_;rr, Dan. & Sw. var, Goth. wars, G. gewahr aware, OHG. wara notice, attention, Gr. &unr_; to see. Cf. Aware, Garment, Garnish, Garrison, Panorama, Ward, v. t. Ware, a., Warren. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, artifices, and dangers; timorously or suspiciously prudent; circumspect; scrupulous; careful. “Bear a wary eye.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

We should be wary, therefore, what persecution we raise against the living labors of public men. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Characterized by caution; guarded; careful. [ 1913 Webster ]

It behoveth our words to be wary and few. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Cautious; circumspect; watchful. See Cautious. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ AS. wergian, wyrgean. Cf. Worry. ] To curse; to curse; to execrate; to condemn; also, to vex. [ Obs. ] [ Spelled also warrie, warry, and wary. ] “Whom I thus blame and warye.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]