\Be*ware"\, v. i. [Be, imperative of verb to be + ware.
See {Ware}, {Wary}.]
1. To be on one's guard; to be cautious; to take care; --
   commonly followed by of or lest before the thing that is
   to be avoided.
         Beware of all, but most beware of man ! --Pope.
         Beware the awful avalanche.           --Longfellow.
2. To have a special regard; to heed. [Obs.]
         Behold, I send an Angel before thee. . . . Beware of
         him, and obey his voice.              --Ex. xxiii.
                                               20, 21.
Note: This word is a compound from be and the Old English
      ware, now wary, which is an adjective. ``Be ye war of
      false prophetis.'' --Wyclif, Matt. vii. 15. It is used
      commonly in the imperative and infinitive modes, and
      with such auxiliaries (shall, should, must, etc.) as go
      with the infinitive.

\Be*ware"\ (b[-e]*w[^a]r"), v. t.
To avoid; to take care of; to have a care for. [Obs.]
``Priest, beware your beard.'' --Shak.
      To wish them beware the son.             --Milton.