I. ˈsāf-tē noun
( plural safeties )
Etymology: Middle English saufte, from Anglo-French salveté, saufté, from salf safe
Date: 14th century
1. : the condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss
2. : a device (as on a weapon or a machine) designed to prevent inadvertent or hazardous operation
3.
a.
(1) : a situation in football in which a member of the offensive team is tackled behind its own goal line that counts two points for the defensive team — compare touchback
(2) : a member of a defensive backfield in football who occupies the deepest position in order to receive a kick, defend against a forward pass, or stop a ballcarrier
b. : a billiard shot made with no attempt to score or so as to leave the balls in an unfavorable position for the opponent
c. : base hit
II. transitive verb
( safe·tied ; safe·ty·ing )
Date: 1927
: to protect against failure, breakage, or accident
safety a rifle