Etymology Map
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Safe

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means protected from danger

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

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

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.