The quality of being cautious or wary; a state of careful reluctance or suspicion about something.
From Middle English 'chary' (meaning cautious or wary) derived from Old English 'cierr' meaning 'turn' or 'careful.' The suffix '-ness' transforms the adjective into an abstract noun indicating a state or quality.
Being 'chary' in old English was literally about 'turning away' from danger—so chariness captures that instinct to hesitate and protect yourself that humans have evolved for millions of years.
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