Etymology Map
Back to all words

Save

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to keep safe; to store for later

Where does the word "save" come from? It comes from Latin salvare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
salvare
Latin · ancient
"to make safe"
from 'salvus', safe, the root of 'salvation'
2
Stage 2 of 3
sauver
Old French · medieval
"to save"
used for spiritual salvation and physical safety
3
Stage 3 of 3
save
English · 1200s
"to rescue"
'save' for keeping money dates from the 1400s; computer 'save' from the 1960s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Save’s story begins in Latin: salvare meant “to make safe.” From 'salvus', safe, the root of 'salvation'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sauver. Used for spiritual salvation and physical safety. It reached English by 1200s as save. 'save' for keeping money dates from the 1400s; computer 'save' from the 1960s. Today, save means to keep safe; to store for later.