Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “safely” come from?

Safely comes from Middle English savely, formed from the adjective safe (from Old English salvus via Latin salvus, meaning "unharmed") and the adverbial suffix -ly (from Old English -līċ).

safely (English): In a safe manner; without risk; using caution...

Definitions

  1. In a safe manner; without risk; using caution...

Ancestry of “safely”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishsavelyWith safety; without harm or injury; With...
2Middle EnglishsaufNot having experienced harm, damage, or ill...
3Old Frenchsauf—
4Latinsalvussafe, saved, preserved, sound, unharmed,...
5Proto-Italic*salawos—
6Proto-Indo-Europeansolh₂wós—
7Proto-Indo-Europeansōlh₂-mercy, comfort; comfort, mercy
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sōlh₂- →