safe-conduct

See also: safe conduct

English

Etymology

Attested as early as the 14th century in Robert of Gloucerster's chronicles written in Middle English; ultimately a calque of Old French sauf-conduit.

Pronunciation

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Noun

safe-conduct (plural safe-conducts)

  1. A document that grants safe passage through enemy territory in times of war.
    Synonym: (obsolete) passe-partout
  2. A convoy or guard to protect a person in a foreign country.

Translations

Verb

safe-conduct (third-person singular simple present safe-conducts, present participle safe-conducting, simple past and past participle safe-conducted)

  1. (obsolete) To guarantee safe passage by granting such a document.
    • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
      Who […] Haue paſt the armie of the mightie Turke:
      Bearing his priuie ſignet and his hand,
      To ſafe conduct vs thorow Affrica: […]

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