safe

safe [sāf]

adj.

safer, safest [ME sauf < OFr < L salvus, akin to salus, health, sound condition < IE base * solo-, whole, well-preserved > Gr holos, whole, Sans sarva, unharmed, whole]

1.

a) free from damage, danger, or injury; secure

b) having escaped danger or injury; unharmed

2.

a) giving protection

b) involving no risk

c) trustworthy

3. no longer dangerous; unable to cause trouble or damage [safe in jail]

4. taking no risks; prudent; cautious: said of persons

☆ 5. Baseball having reached a base without being put out

n.

[altered (after the adj.) < earlier save < SAVE¹]

1. a container or box, capable of being locked and usually of metal, in which to store valuables

2. any compartment, box, etc. for storing food, etc. [a meat safe]

3. Slang a condom

safely

adv.

safeness

n.

SYN.- SAFE implies freedom from damage, danger, or injury or from the risk of damage, etc. [is it safe to leave? ]; SECURE, often interchangeable with SAFE, is now usually applied to something about which there is no need to feel apprehension [he is secure in his job ] -ANT. DANGEROUS, PRECARIOUS