safe conduct
Appearance
See also: safe-conduct
English
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]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.
Noun
[edit]- The security given by authority of a government to a stranger for his quietly coming into and passing out of the territories over which said government has jurisdiction or control.
Usage notes
[edit]A safe-conduct differs from a passport because the former is usually given to enemies and the latter to friends, neutrals or citizens.
References
[edit]- “safe conduct”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
- “safe conduct”, in OED Online
, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.; or