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safe haven
safe house
safe room
safe seat
safe sex
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safebreaker
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safeguard
safekeeping
safelight
safety
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safeguard

safe·guard [ sáyf grd ]


noun  (plural safe·guards)
Definition:
 
1. protective measure: something intended to prevent undesirable consequences from happening, e.g. a safety device or measure, or a proviso in a legal document

2. safe-conduct document: a document providing safe-conduct



transitive verb  (past and past participle safe·guard·ed, present participle safe·guard·ing, 3rd person present singular safe·guards)
Definition:
 
keep something safe: to prevent something or somebody from being harmed, damaged, badly treated, or lost

[14th century. < Anglo-Norman salve garde, French sauve garde< sauf (see safe) + garde (see guard)]

safe·guard·er noun

Word Key: Synonyms
safeguard, protect, defend, guard, shield
CORE MEANING: to keep something or somebody safe from actual or potential damage or attack

safeguard to prevent something or somebody from being harmed, damaged, badly treated, or lost;
their promise to continue a free market approach while safeguarding local industry.
measures to safeguard our citizens against terrorism
protect to prevent somebody or something from being harmed or damaged;
protect your skin from direct sunlight
efforts to protect our national parks from overuse
defend to protect somebody or something from attack, harm, or danger;
The stallion will defend his mares against the attentions of other males.
Charlie defended himself well, using the ropes and corner as he ducked and dived.
guard to protect somebody or something against danger or loss by being vigilant and taking defensive measures;
The main prison was guarded by armed officers.
Guard against identity theft.
shield to prevent harm or damage to somebody or something by using a physical barrier or by intervening in a protective way;
His broad-brimmed hat shielded his eyes from the sun.
The president's children are protectively shielded from the public spotlight at home.
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