safe´ness

safe «sayf», adjective, saf|er, saf|est, noun.

–adj.

1. free from harm, danger, or loss: »

safe from disease or enemies. Keep money in a safe place.

2. having been kt from or escaped injury, damage, or danger; not harmed; uninjured: »

to bring goods safe to land. He returned from war safe and sound.

3. out of danger; secure: »

We feel safe with the dog in the house.

4. not causing harm or danger: »

Is it safe to leave the house unlocked? A soft rubber ball is a safe plaything. The old building was pronounced safe.

5. put beyond the power of doing harm; no longer dangerous: »

a criminal safe in prison.

6. not taking risks; careful; cautious: »

a safe guess, a safe move, a safe driver.

7. that can be depended on; reliable; trustworthy: »

a safe guide, a safe bridge, safe colors.

8. Baseball. reaching a base or home plate without being put out: »

safe on first.

9. not likely to be lost to an opposing party in an election: »

a safe state.

–n.

1. a steel or iron box for money, jewels, papers, or other valuable things.

2. a place made to keep things safe: »

a meat safe.

╂[< Old French sauf, earlier salf < Latin salvus. Compare etym. under save¹. (Cf. ↑save)]

–safe´ness, noun.

Synonym Study adjective. 1 Safe, secure mean free from danger, harm, or risk. Safe emphasizes being not exposed to danger, harm, or risk: »

The children are safe in their own yard.

Secure emphasizes being protected or guarded against loss, attack, injury, or other anticipated or feared danger or harm and having no worry or fear: »

A child feels secure with his mother.