What does cautionary tale mean?

Definitions for cautionary tale
cau·tion·a·ry tale

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word cautionary tale.

Wiktionary

  1. cautionary talenoun

    A story told in folklore to warn its hearer of a certain danger.

Wikipedia

  1. Cautionary tale

    A cautionary tale is a tale told in folklore to warn its listener of a danger. There are three essential parts to a cautionary tale, though they can be introduced in a large variety of ways. First, a taboo or prohibition is stated: some act, location, or thing is said to be dangerous. Then, the narrative itself is told: someone disregarded the warning and performed the forbidden act. Finally, the violator comes to an unpleasant fate, which is frequently related in expansive and grisly detail.

Wikidata

  1. Cautionary tale

    A cautionary tale is a tale told in folklore, to warn its hearer of a danger. There are three essential parts to a cautionary tale, though they can be introduced in a large variety of ways. First, a taboo or prohibition is stated: some act, location, or thing is said to be dangerous. Then, the narrative itself is told: someone disregarded the warning and performed the forbidden act. Finally, the violator comes to an unpleasant fate, which is frequently related in expansive and grisly detail.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of cautionary tale in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of cautionary tale in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of cautionary tale in a Sentence

  1. Tarana Burke:

    This is not a moment to revel in how the mighty have fallen but instead in how the silenced have spoken up, stood together and survived, weinstein's arrest, for the women who have accused Harvey Weinstein and others like them around the world, I'm sure feels like a moment of catharsis and it should serve as a cautionary tale for others like [ Morgan ] Freeman and every day people who toe the line between unacceptable and criminal behavior.

  2. Peter Kent:

    His ordeal is a cautionary tale to any investor who thinks the Cuban playing field is level.

  3. Jackie Chan:

    I hope that young people will see Jaycee as a cautionary tale and stay away from drugs, i failed to teach my son and I should also bear responsibility. Jaycee and I deeply bow in apology to society.

  4. Art Caplan:

    This should never have happened, this is a cautionary tale.

  5. Robert Long:

    This report provides a cautionary tale for people as they consider how to celebrate the winter holidays, the gatherings at the center of this outbreak occurred in a rural area that had seen almost no evidence of Covid-19.


Translations for cautionary tale

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"cautionary tale." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 12 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/cautionary+tale>.

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    a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody
    A lucubrate
    B huff
    C abet
    D descant

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