precava

[ pree-key-vuh, -kah- ]

/ priˈkeɪ və, -ˈkɑ- /

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noun, plural pre·ca·vae

[pree-key-vee, -kah-vahy]. /priˈkeɪ vi, -ˈkɑ vaɪ/.

See under vena cava.

(in squids) either of a pair of veins that pass through the kidney to the branchial heart.

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ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

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Origin of precava

1865–70; pre- + (vena) cava

OTHER WORDS FROM precava

pre·ca·val, adjective

Words nearby precava

precatory, precaution, precautionary, precautionary principle, precautious, precava, precede, preceded, precedence, precedency, precedent

Medical definitions for precava

precava

[ prē-kā′və, -kä′- ]

n. pl. pre•ca•vae (-vē)

superior vena cava

Other words from precava

pre•ca′val adj.