Main Entry: ¹sav·age

Pronunciation: \ˈsa-vij\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French salvage, savage, from Late Latin salvaticus, alteration of Latin silvaticus of the woods, wild, from silva wood, forest

Date: 13th century

1 a : not domesticated or under human control : untamed <savage beasts> b : lacking the restraints normal to civilized human beings : fierce, ferocious <a savage criminal>
2 : wild, uncultivated <seldom have I seen such savage scenery — Douglas Carruthers>
3 a : boorish, rude <the savage bad manners of most motorists — M. P. O'Connor> b : malicious
4 : lacking complex or advanced culture : uncivilized <a savage country>

synonyms see fierce

— sav·age·ly adverb

— sav·age·ness noun