I. ˈsāftē, -ti sometimes ÷-fəd.- or ÷-fət- noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English sauvete, saufte, safte, from Middle French salveté, sauveté, from Old French, from salve, sauve (feminine of salf, sauf safe) + -té -ty — more at safe
1. : the condition of being safe : freedom from exposure to danger : exemption from hurt, injury, or loss
the only safety against being deceived lies in … refusal to bear arms — W.R.Inge
ferried in safety across the river
2. obsolete : custody
hold him in safety till the prince come hither — Shakespeare
3.
a. archaic : a means of protection : safeguard
b.
(1) : a locking or interrupting device on a military apparatus (as a mine, missile, weapon) that prevents it from being fired accidentally
(2) : the condition of a firearm when the safety is in action
to carry a piece at safety
c. : a device (as an elevator cable break or a drop hammer trip) applied to equipment to reduce hazard from component failure or personal contact
d. : condom
4.
a. : the quality or state of not presenting risks : safeness
people have a tendency to choose the safety of the middle-ground reply — S.L.Payne
the captain of an airplane was held responsible for the … safety of his ship — E.K.Gann
b. : the quality or state of being financially secure
safety of principal
5. : knowledge of or skill in methods of avoiding accident or disease
an expert in traffic safety
6. : any of several plays in various sports:
a. : a billiard shot made with no attempt to score and intended to leave the balls in an unfavorable position for the opponent
b.
(1) : a football play in which the ball is downed by the offensive team behind its own goal line
(2) : a score made by a safety that counts two points for the opposing team — compare touchback
c. : base hit
d. : the act of hitting the ball across the back line and not between the goal posts by one of the defending side in a polo match
7. : a member of a defensive backfield in football who occupies the deepest position in order to receive a kick or defend against a pass made by the opposing team or to stop a ballcarrier who has broken away
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to protect against failure, breakage, or other accident: as
a. : to secure (a nut on an airplane) against loosening by vibration
b. : to engage the safety of (a weapon)