safeguard
nounverbattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈseɪfɡɑːd//
- Canada//ˈseɪfɡɑɹd//
- Australia//ˈsæɪfɡɐːd//
Something that serves as a guard or protection; a defense.
noun
- 1
Something that serves as a guard or protection; a defense.
Getting a flu shot is a good safeguard against illness.
[T]he king ſent to the ſea ſixe good ſhippes, well manned and vitayled for the warre: […] for ſaffegarde of the Merchauntes, and other the kinges ſubiectes, that were greuouſly ſpoyled and robbed on the ſea, by Frenchmen, Scottes and other rouers.
An externment of a person is a harsh punishment on him and calls for procedural safeguards against the abuse of power by the authorities.
- 2
One who, or that which, defends or protects; defence; protection.
Thy sword, the safeguard of thy brother's throne.
- 3
A safe-conduct or passport, especially in time of war.
the inheritance of their loves and safeguard
- 4
obsoleteThe monitor lizard.
The same idea is entertained of the Safeguard in America, as of the Monitor in Africa, and other parts of the Old World, […]
Etymology
From Middle English savegard, from Middle French sauvegarde, from Old French salve garde, sauve garde, reconstructed as safe + guard.
verb
- 1
To protect, to keep safe.
She kept a savings to safeguard against debt and emergencies.
"[...] Crossrail 2 is mothballed. It is safeguarded, it is absolutely not cancelled."
- 2
To implement safeguarding.
- 3
To escort safely.
Forms
- plural
- safeguards
- past tense
- safeguarded
- past participle
- safeguarded
- present participle
- safeguarding
- third person singular
- safeguards
safeguard · Something that serves as a guard or protection; a defense.
safely · In a safe manner; without risk; using caution above all else.safety · The condition or feeling of being safe; security; certainty.saga · An Old Norse (Icelandic) prose narrative, especially one…