Main Entry:

¹safe·ty

Pronunciation:

\ˈsāf-tē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural safeties

Etymology:

Middle English saufte, from Anglo-French salveté, saufté, from salf safe

Date:

14th century

1: the condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss2: a device (as on a weapon or a machine) designed to prevent inadvertent or hazardous operation3 a (1): a situation in football in which a member of the offensive team is tackled behind its own goal line that counts two points for the defensive team — compare touchback (2): a member of a defensive backfield in football who occupies the deepest position in order to receive a kick, defend against a forward pass, or stop a ballcarrier b: a billiard shot made with no attempt to score or so as to leave the balls in an unfavorable position for the opponent c: base hit