safe

Where does the word "safe" come from? It comes from Latin salvus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Safe’s story begins in Latin: salvus meant “unharmed.” The root of 'save' and 'salvage'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sauf. The l became u in French. It reached English by 1300s as safe. The noun 'safe', a strongbox, dates from the 1400s. Today, safe means protected from danger.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient salvus "unharmed", the root of 'save' and 'salvage'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval sauf "protected", the l became u in French.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s safe "unharmed", the noun 'safe', a strongbox, dates from the 1400s.