safe conduct

noun

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.

OriginOld French sauf-conduit →
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Meanings

nounsafe conduct (uncountable)

alternative safe-conduct

  1. uncountableThe 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.

Origin

  1. Old Frenchsauf-conduit
  2. Englishsafe conduct

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.

More words from Old French

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

safe conduct. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/safe%20conduct

MLA

“safe conduct.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/safe%20conduct. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “safe conduct,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/safe%20conduct.

Source: safe conduct on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.