First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1savage
adjective sav·age \ˈsa-vij\
Definition of SAVAGE
1
2
: wild, uncultivated <seldom have I seen such savage scenery — Douglas Carruthers>
4
: lacking complex or advanced culture : uncivilized <a savage country>
— sav·age·ly adverb
— sav·age·ness noun
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Origin of SAVAGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French salvage, savage, from Late Latin salvaticus, alteration of Latin silvaticus of the woods, wild, from silva wood, forest
Related to SAVAGE
- Synonyms
- barbarian, barbaric, barbarous, heathen, heathenish, natural, Neanderthal (or Neandertal), rude, uncivil, uncivilized, uncultivated, wild
- Antonyms
- civilized
Synonym Discussion of SAVAGE
fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions. fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack <fierce warriors>. ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality <a ferocious dog>. barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people <barbarous treatment of prisoners>. savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion <a savage criminal>. cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it <the cruel jokes of schoolboys>.
Rhymes with SAVAGE
2savage
noun
Definition of SAVAGE
1
: a person belonging to a primitive society
2
: a brutal person
3
: a rude or unmannerly person
See savage defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SAVAGE
15th century
Related to SAVAGE
Other Anthropology Terms
Rhymes with SAVAGE
3savage
transitive verb
: to attack or treat (someone or something) in a very cruel, violent, or harsh way
sav·agedsav·ag·ing
Full Definition of SAVAGE
: to attack or treat brutally
First Known Use of SAVAGE
1880
Savage
biographical name Sav·age \ˈsa-vij\
Definition of SAVAGE
Michael Joseph 1872–1940 prime min. of New Zealand (1935–40)
SAVAGE Defined for Kids
1savage
adjective sav·age \ˈsa-vij\
Definition of SAVAGE for Kids
1
: not tamed : wild <savage beasts>
Word History of SAVAGE
In Latin the adjective silvaticus, (derived from the noun silva, “forest”) meant “growing or living in the forest.” Because forest life is wild rather than domesticated, the adjective easily took on the meaning “wild” in later Latin. Altered to salvaticus, the word passed into Old French as sauvage. When it was borrowed into Middle English, it kept the meanings “wild, uncultivated (of fruit)” and “untamed (of animals).” But sauvage could also be applied to humans, in which case its meanings could range from “not civilized, barbarous” to “fierce, cruel.” It is mainly the last sense that modern English savage brings to mind.
2savage
noun
Definition of SAVAGE for Kids
1
: a person belonging to a group with a low level of civilization
2
: a cruel or violent person
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