— safely , adv. — safeness , n.
/sayf/ , adj., safer, safest , n.
adj.
1. secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk: a safe place.
2. free from hurt, injury, danger, or risk: to arrive safe and sound.
3. involving little or no risk of mishap, error, etc.: a safe estimate.
4. dependable or trustworthy: a safe guide.
5. careful to avoid danger or controversy: a safe player; a safe play.
6. denied the chance to do harm; in secure custody: a criminal safe in jail.
7. Baseball.
a. reaching base without being put out: safe on the throw to first base.
b. making it possible to reach a base: a safe slide.
n.
8. a steel or iron box or repository for money, jewels, papers, etc.
9. any receptacle or structure for the storage or preservation of articles: a meat safe.
10. (in plumbing)
a. a pan for catching leakage.
b. template (def. 7).
11. Slang. a condom.
[ 1250-1300; (adj.) ME sauf, saf saf, OF sauf salvus intact, whole; (n.) late ME save, orig. deriv. of SAVE 1 , assimilated to the adj.; cf. SALVATION ]
Syn. 1. protected, sound, guarded. SAFE, SECURE may both imply that something can be regarded as free from danger. These words are frequently interchangeable. SAFE, however, is applied rather to a person or thing that is out of or has passed beyond the reach of danger: The ship is safe in port. SECURE is applied to that about which there is no need to fear or worry: to feel secure about the future; The foundation of the house does not seem very secure. 4. sure, reliable. 5. wary, careful. 8. strongbox, coffer, chest, safe-deposit box.