I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English saufgarde, from Middle French salvegarde, saufegarde, from Old French, from salve, sauve (feminine of salf, sauf safe) + garde guard — more at safe , guard
1.
a. obsolete : safe-conduct 1
b. : safe-conduct 2
2.
a. : a written order issued by a military commander or other authority guaranteeing the safety of specified persons or property
b. : a guard furnished by a military commander or other authority to protect persons or property
3. archaic : protection , defense
if you do fight in safeguard of your wives — Shakespeare
4. : a means of protection against something undesirable
necessary safeguards against the conviction of innocent persons — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
this diversification is considered a safeguard against crises — G.G.Weigend
5. archaic : a protective petticoat worn outside a riding habit
II. transitive verb
: to provide a safeguard for : protect
a clause safeguarding the right of habeas corpus — Irving Brant
safeguard the layman against being victimized by quacks — H.G.Rickover
Synonyms: see defend