safe English · revision 3367

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1280|origins=la salvus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /seɪf/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|sauf]], also saf,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) [[bor|fro|sauf|t=protected; assured of salvation]], also salf,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[la|salvus|t=uninjured, healthy, safe]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) related to [[m|la|salūs|t=good health]] and [[m|la|salūber|t=healthful]],^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*solh₂-|alt=*sol-|t=whole, well-kept]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) Hoad relates it to Greek [[m|grc|ὅλος|tr=hólos|t=whole]] and Sanskrit sárva-.^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) The OED compares the development of ''safe'' from ''sauf'' with gage from Old North French gauge.^(Etymonline) The noun, a strongbox, was earlier save, from the verb [[save]], and was later assimilated to the adjective.^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Not damned, redeemed”: about 1280^(Barnhart 1988) or about 1300, when it also meant “unhurt, free from danger”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The OED's first quotation for “unhurt” is from 1297.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Healed, healthy” is from before 1325.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) The spellings saf and safe are from about 1330 and 1343.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Safe and sound'' is from before 1300,^(OED 1989) or about 1300.^(Etymonline) Places not exposed to danger are ''safe'' from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) actions “free from risk” by the 1580s,^(Etymonline) and “reliable, not dangerous” from about 1600.^(Etymonline) “Cautious, conservative” is from 1823.^(Etymonline) The noun, a chest for keeping food from insects, is from about 1440,^(OED 1989) or the early 15th century as save, from French en sauf “in safety”;^(Etymonline) the spelling with ''-f-'' is by the 1680s.^(Etymonline) The fire-proof and burglar-proof safe for valuables is from 1820,^(OED 1989) and ''safe'' as a colloquial word for a condom from 1897.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1280 – redeemed, not damned.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1297 – unhurt.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1300 – ''safe and sound''.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – not exposed to danger.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1440 – noun, a food safe.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1580s – free from risk.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1820 – a strongbox for valuables.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1823 – cautious.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1897 – a condom.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Protected from danger, harm or risk; [[secure]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Unhurt: ''safe and sound''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Not likely to cause harm or risk.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Cautious or conservative: ''a safe choice''.^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(baseball)'' Having reached a base without being put out.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A strong metal box with a lock, for storing valuables.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A ventilated cupboard for storing food.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(informal)'' A [[condom]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[safely]]

+ * [[safeness]]

+ * [[firesafe]]

+ * [[safecracker]]

+ * [[supersafe]]

+ * [[fail-safe]]

+ * [[safe-conduct]]

+ * [[safe-deposit]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[save]]

+ * [[salvage]]

+ * [[salvation]]

+ * [[salute]]

+ * [[salutary]]

+ * [[solid]]

+ * [[whole]]

+ * [[safety]]

+ * [[vouchsafe]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}