ˈseɪftɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1
the condition of
being safe;
freedom from danger or risks. 2 (attrib.) a designating
any of
various devices
for preventing
injury from
machinery (safety bar; safety lock). b designating items of
protective clothing (safety helmet). øsafety-belt 1 = seat-belt. 2 a
belt or
strap securing a
person to
prevent injury. safety-catch a
contrivance for locking a gun-trigger or preventing the
accidental operation of machinery. safety
curtain a
fireproof curtain
that can be lowered to
cut off the
auditorium in a
theatre from the
stage. safety
factor (or factor of safety) 1 the
ratio of a material's
strength to an expected strain. 2 a
margin of
security against risks. safety
film a cinematographic film on a slow-burning or
non-flammable base. safety
first a
motto advising
caution. safety fuse 1 a fuse (see FUSE(2)) containing a slow-burning
composition for
firing detonators from a
distance. 2 Electr. a protective fuse (see FUSE(1)). safety
glass glass that will
not splinter when broken. safety
harness a
system of belts or restraints to hold a person to prevent falling or injury. safety
lamp a miner's lamp so protected as not to
ignite firedamp. safety match a match igniting
only on a specially prepared
surface. safety
net a net placed to
catch an
acrobat etc. in case of a
fall. safety
pin a pin
with a
point that is bent
back to the
head and is
held in a
guard when
closed. safety
razor a razor with a guard to
reduce the
risk of
cutting the
skin. safety-valve 1 (in a
steam boiler) a
valve opening automatically to
relieve excessive pressure. 2 a
means of giving
harmless vent to excitement etc. safety
zone US an
area of a road
marked off for pedestrians etc. to
wait safely. [ME sauvete f. OF sauvet÷ f. med.L salvitas -tatis f. L salvus (as SAFE)]
