A- (3) prefix meaning "not," from Gk a-, an- "not," from pie base *ne "not" (see un-)

sacrifice (n.) --- c.1250, from O.Fr. sacrifise (12c.), from L. sacrificium, from sacrificus "performing priestly functions or sacrifices," from sacra "sacred rites" (prop. neut. pl. of sacer "sacred," see sacred) + root of facere "to do, perform" (see factitious). L. sacrificium is glossed in O.E. by ansegdniss. Sense of "something given up for the sake of another" is first recorded 1592. Baseball sense first attested 1880. The verb is first recorded c.1290.

sacrilege --- c.1303, "crime of stealing what is consecrated to God," from O.Fr. sacrilege (12c.), from L. sacrilegium "temple robbery," from sacrilegus "stealer of sacred things," from phrase sacrum legere "to steal sacred things," from sacrum "sacred object (from neuter sing. of sacer "sacred") + legere "take, pick up" (see lecture). Second element is related to lecture, but is not from religion. Transf. sense of "profanation of anything held sacred" is attested from 1390. Sacrilegious is from 1582.

sacristan --- c.1375, from M.L. sacristanus, from L. sacrista, from sacer (gen. sacri) "sacred" (see sacred). Cf. sexton, which is a doublet.

sacristy --- repository of sacred things, 1601, from Anglo-Fr. sacrestie, from M.L. sacrista, from L. sacer "sacred" (see sacred).

sacrosanct --- 1601, from L. sacrosanctus "protected by religious sanction," from sacro, abl. of sacrum "religious sanction" (from neut. sing. of sacer "sacred") + sanctus, pp. of sancire "make sacred" (see sacred).

sacrum --- bone at the base of the spine, 1753, from L.L. os sacrum "sacred bone," from L. os "bone" + sacrum, neut. of sacer "sacred." Said to be so called because the bone was the part of animals that was offered in sacrifices. Translation of Gk. hieron osteon. But Gk. hieros also can mean "strong."

sad --- O.E. sæd "sated," from P.Gmc. *sathaz (cf. O.N. saðr, M.Du. sat, Du. zad, O.H.G. sat, Ger. satt, Goth. saþs "satiated"), from PIE *seto- (cf. L. satis "enough, sufficient," O.C.S. sytu, Lith. sotus, O.Ir. saith "satiety"), from base *sa- "satisfied" (cf. Skt. a-sinvan "insatiable"). Sense development seems to have passed through a meaning "heavy," and "weary, tired of" before emerging c.1300 as "unhappy." An alternate course would be through "steadfast, firm," and "serious" to "grave." In the main modern sense, it replaced O.E. unrot, negative of rot "cheerful, glad." Slang sense of "inferior, pathetic" is from 1899; sad sack is 1920s, popularized by World War II armed forces (specifically by cartoon character invented by Sgt. George Baker, 1942, and published in U.S. Armed Forces magazine "Yank"), probably a euphemistic shortening of common military slang phrase sad sack of shit. The verb sadden "to make sorrowful" is from 1600; earlier form was sade, from O.E. sadian.

saddle (n.) --- O.E. sadol "seat for a rider," from P.Gmc. *sathulaz (cf. O.N. söðull, O.Fris. sadel, Du. zadel, zaal, Ger. Sattel), from PIE *sed- "to sit" (cf. L. sedere "to sit," O.C.S. sedlo "saddle;" see sedentary). Fig. phrase in the saddle "in an active position of management" is attested from 1660. The verb is from O.E. sadolian; the meaning "to load with a burden" is first recorded 1693. Saddleback is from 1545. Saddlebag is from 1774.

Sadducee --- O.E., from L.L. Sadducaei (pl.), from Gk. Zaddoukaios, from Heb. tzedoqi, from personal name Tzadhoq "Zadok" (2 Sam. viii:17), the high priest from whom the priesthood of the captivity claimed descent. According to Josephus, the sect denied the resurrection of the dead and the existence of angels and spirits; but later historians regard them as more the political party of the priestly class than a sect per se.

Sadie Hawkins --- 1939, from name of character in U.S. cartoon strip "Li'l Abner," by Al Capp (1909-1979); in ref. to a day in early November in which women take the lead in romantic matters.

sadism --- love of cruelty, 1888, from Fr. sadisme, from Count Donatien A.F. de Sade (1740-1815). Not a marquis, though usually now called one, he was notorious for the cruel sexual practices he described in his novels. Sadist first recorded 1897; sadistic is 1892, after Ger. sadistisch. Compound Sado-masochism first recorded 1935 (see masochist). Abbreviation S & M first attested 1965.

safari --- 1890 (attested from 1860 as a foreign word), from Swahili, lit. "journey, expedition," from Arabic, lit. "referring to a journey," from safar "journey" (which is attested in Eng. as a foreign word from 1858).

safe (adj.) --- c.1280, "uninjured, unharmed," from O.Fr. sauf, from L. salvus "uninjured, healthy, safe," related to salus "good health," saluber "healthful," all from PIE *solwos from base *sol- "whole" (cf. L. solidus "solid," Skt. sarvah "uninjured, intact, whole," Avestan haurva- "uninjured, intact," O.Pers. haruva-, Gk. holos "whole"). Meaning "not exposed to danger" is attested from 1387; of actions, etc., "free from risk," first recorded 1590. Safe-conduct (1297) is from O.Fr. sauf-conduit (13c.).

safe (n.) --- chest for keeping valuables, c.1430, save, from M.Fr. en sauf "in safety," from sauf (see safe (adj.)). Spelling with -f- first recorded 1688, from infl. of safe (adj.).

safeguard (n.) --- 1421, "protection, safety," from M.Fr. sauvegarde "safekeeping, safeguard" (13c.), from O.Fr. salve, sauve (fem. of sauf; see safe) + garde "a keeping" (see guard). Meaning "something that offers security from danger" is recorded from 1471. The verb is from 1494.

safety --- c.1300, from O.Fr. sauvete, earlier salvetet (11c.), from M.L. salvitatem (nom. salvitas) "safety," from L. salvus (see safe). Meaning "trigger-lock on a gun" is attested from 1881. As a N.Amer. football position, first recorded 1881. Safety-pin is from 1857; safety-valve is from 1797; fig. sense recorded from 1818. Safety-net first recorded 1950. Safety-first as an accident-prevention slogan first used in Britain in 1873 (said to be originally from U.S. railroads); widely used on Conservative Party election posters in 1922.

saffron --- c.1200, from O.Fr. safran (12c.), from M.L. safranum (cf. It. zafferano, Sp. azafran), ultimately from Arabic za'faran, of unknown origin.

sag (v.) --- 1392, possibly from a Scand. source related to O.N. sokkva "to sink," or from M.L.G. sacken "to sink" (as dregs in wine), from denasalized derivative of P.Gmc. base *senkwanan "to sink" (see sink). A general North Sea Gmc. word (cf. Du. zakken, Swed. sacka, Dan. sakke). The noun is first recorded 1861.

saga --- 1709, an antiquarians' revival to describe the medieval prose narratives of Iceland and Norway, from O.N. saga "saga, story," cognate with O.E. sagu "a saying" (see saw (2)). Prop., a narrative composition of Iceland or Norway in the Middle Ages, or one that has their characteristics.

sagacity --- 1548, from M.Fr. sagacité, from L. sagacitatem (nom. sagacitas) "quality of being acute," from sagax (gen. sagacis) "of quick perception," related to sagus "prophetic," sagire "perceive keenly," from PIE base *sag- "to track down, trace, seek" (cf. O.E. secan "to seek;" see seek). Also used 17c.-18c. of animals, meaning "acute sense of smell."

sage (adj.) --- wise, 1297, from O.Fr. sage (11c.), from Gallo-Romance *sabius, from V.L. *sapius, from L. sapere "have a taste, have good taste, be wise," from PIE base *sap- "to taste." The noun meaning "man of profound wisdom" is recorded from c.1300. Originally applied to the Seven Sages -- Thales, Solon, Periander, Cleobulus, Chilon, Bias, and Pittacus.

sage (n.) --- kind of herb (Salvia officinalis), c.1310, from O.Fr. sauge (13c.), from L. salvia, from salvus "healthy" (see safe). So called for its healing or preserving qualities (it was used to keep teeth clean and relieve sore gums, and boiled in water to make a drink to alleviate arthritis). In Eng. folklore, sage, like parsley, is said to grow best where the wife is dominant. Sagebrush first recorded 1852.

Sagittarius --- constellation, 1390, from L., lit. "archer," prop. "pertaining to arrows," from sagitta "arrow," which probably is from a pre-Latin Mediterranean language. Meaning "person born under Sagittarius" (prop. Sagittarian) is attested from 1940.

sago --- starch made of the piths of palms, 1555, via Port. and Du. from Malay sagu, the name of the palm tree from which it is obtained.

saguaro --- type of large branching cactus of the N.Amer. desert, 1856, from Mexican Sp., from Piman native name, of unknown origin.

Sahara --- 1613, from Ar. çahra "desert" (pl. çahara), according to Klein, "prop. fem. of the adj. asharu 'yellowish red,' used as a noun."

sahib --- respectful address to Europeans in India, 1673, from Hindi or Urdu sahib "master, lord," from Arabic, originally "friend, companion," from sahiba "he accompanied."

sail (n.) --- O.E. segl, from P.Gmc. *seglom (cf. Swed. segel, O.N. segl, O.Fris. seil, Du. zeil, O.H.G. segal, Ger. Segel), of obscure origin with no known cognates outside Gmc. Ir. seol, Welsh hwyl "sail" are Gmc. loan-words. Sometimes referred to PIE root *sek- "to cut," as if meaning "a cut piece of cloth." The verb is O.E. segilan, from the same Gmc. source (cf. O.N. sigla, M.L.G. segelen, Ger. segeln).

sailor --- c.1400, sailer, from sail (v.) (see sail (n.)). Spelling with -o- emerged c.1500, probably by influence of tailor, etc., to distinguish the meaning "seaman, mariner" from "thing that sails." It replaced much older seaman, mariner (q.q.v.).

saint --- c.1125, from O.Fr. seinte, altering O.E. sanct, both from L. sanctus "holy, consecrated" (used as a noun in L.L.), prop. pp. of sancire "consecrate" (see sacred). Adopted into most Gmc. languages (cf. O.Fris. sankt, Du. sint, Ger. Sanct). Originally an adj. prefixed to the name of a canonized person; by c.1300 it came to be regarded as a noun.

sake --- Japanese rice liquor, 1687, from Japanese sake, lit. "alcohol."

sake --- purpose, O.E. sacu "a cause at law, crime, dispute, guilt," from P.Gmc. *sako "affair, thing, charge, accusation" (cf. O.N. sök "charge, lawsuit, effect, cause," O.Fris. seke "strife, dispute, matter, thing," Du. zaak, Ger. sache "thing, matter, affair, cause"), from PIE base *sag- "to investigate" (cf. O.E. secan, Goth. sokjan "to seek;" see seek). Much of the word's original meaning has been taken over by case, cause, and it survives largely in phrases for the sake of (c.1225) and for _______'s sake (c.1300, originally for God's sake), both probably are from O.N., as these forms have not been found in O.E.

sal --- chemical name for salt, c.1386, from O.Fr. sal, from L. sal (gen. salis) "salt" (see salt). For sal ammoniac "ammonium chloride" (c.1325), see ammonia.

sal volatile --- 1654, from Mod.L., lit. "volatile salt" (see salt + volatile); ammonium carbonate, especially as used in reviving persons who have fainted.

salaam --- Muslim greeting, 1613, from Arabic salam (also in Urdu, Persian), lit. "peace" (cf. Heb. shalom); in full, (as)salam 'alaikum "peace be upon you," from base of salima "he was safe" (cf. Islam, Muslim).

salacious --- 1661, from L. salax (gen. salacis) "lustful," probably originally "fond of leaping," as in a male animal leaping on a female in sexual advances, from salire "to leap" (see salient). Earliest form of the word in Eng. is salacity (1605).

salad --- 1390, from O.Fr. salade (14c.), from V.L. *salata, lit. "salted," short for herba salata "salted vegetables" (vegetables seasoned with brine, a popular Roman dish), from fem. pp. of *salare "to salt," from L. sal (gen. salis) "salt" (see salt). Du. salade, Ger. Salat, Swed. salat, Rus. salat are from Romanic languages. Salad days, "time of youthful inexperience" (on notion of "green") is first recorded 1606 in Shakespeare. Salad bar first attested 1976, Amer.Eng.

salamander --- 1340, "a legendary lizard-like creature that can live in fire," from O.Fr. salamandre (12c.), from L. salamandra, from Gk. salamandra, probably of eastern origin. The application to an actual amphibian is first recorded 1611. Aristotle, and especially Pliny, are responsible for the fiction of an animal that thrives in and extinguishes fires. The amphibian lives in damp logs and secretes a milky substance when threatened, but there is no obvious natural explanation its connection with the myth. Also used 18c. for "a woman who lives chastely in the midst of temptations" (after Addison), and "a soldier who exposes himself to fire in battle." To rub someone a salamander was a 19c. form of Ger. student drinking toast (einem einen salamander reiben).

salami --- salted, flavored It. sausage, 1852, from It. salami, pl. of salame "spiced pork sausage," from V.L. *salamen, from *salare "to salt," from L. sal (gen. salis) "salt" (see salt).

salary (n.) --- c.1377, from Anglo-Fr. salarie (c.1280), O.Fr. salarie, from L. salarium "salary, stipend," originally "soldier's allowance for the purchase of salt," from neut. of adj. salarius "pertaining to salt," from sal (gen. salis) "salt" (see salt). Japanese sarariman "male salaried worker," lit. "salary-man," is from Eng. The verb meaning "to pay a regular salary to" is attested from c.1477.

sale --- late O.E. sala "a sale," from O.N. sala "sale," from P.Gmc. *salo (cf. O.H.G. sala, Swed. salu, Dan. salg), from root *sal-, source of *saljan (cf. O.E. sellan; see sell). Sense of "a selling of shop goods at lower prices than usual" first appeared 1866. Salesman is from 1523; salesmanship first attested 1880.

Salem --- place mentioned in Gen. xiv.18, from Heb. Shalem, usually said to be another word for Jerusalem and to mean "peace" (cf. Heb. shalom, Arabic salaam). So common as a Baptist and Methodist meetinghouse name that by mid-19c. it (along with Bethel and Ebenezer) had come to be used in Britain generically to mean "non-conformist chapel."

salep --- 1736 (also saloop, 1712) "a starch or jelly made from dried tubers of orchid-like plants, formerly used as a drug," from Turk. salep, from dial. pronunciation of Arabic thaeleb, which usually is taken to be a shortening of khasyu 'th-thaeleb, lit. "fox's testicles" (cf. native Eng. name dogstones).

Salic --- 1548, from Fr. Salique, from M.L. Salicus, from the Salian Franks, a tribe that once lived near the Zuider Zee, the ancestors of the Merovingian kings, lit. "those living near the river Sala" (modern Ijssel). Salic Law, code of law of Gmc. tribes, was invoked 1316 by Philip V of France to exclude a woman from succeeding to the throne of France (and later to combate the French claims of Edward III of England), but the precise meaning of the passage is unclear.

salient --- 1562, "leaping," a heraldic term, from L. salientem (nom. saliens), prp. of salire "to leap," from PIE base *sel- "to jump" (cf. Gk. hallesthai "to leap," M.Ir. saltraim "I trample," and probably Skt. ucchalati "rises quickly"). The meaning "pointing outward" (preserved in military usage) is from 1687; that of "prominent, striking" first recorded 1840, from salient point (1672), which refers to the heart of an embryo, which seems to leap, and translates L. punctum saliens, going back to Aristotle's writings. Hence, the "starting point" of anything.

saline --- 1450, probably from a Latin word related to salinum "salt cellar" and salinæ "salt pits," from sal (gen. salis) "salt" (see salt).

Salisbury steak --- 1897, from J.H. Salisbury (1823-1905), U.S. physician and food specialist, who promoted it. Incorrect use for "hamburger" traces to World War I and the deliberate attempt to purify Amer.Eng. of Ger. loan words.

saliva --- c.1400, from M.Fr. salive, from L. saliva "spittle," of unknown origin (perhaps, as Tucker suggests, somehow derived from the base of sallow (adj.)). Salivate is from 1657; fig. sense attested from 1970.

Salk --- in ref. to vaccine against poliomyelitis, 1954, from U.S. virologist Jonas Edward Salk (1914-1995), who developed it.

sallow (adj.) --- O.E. salo "dusky, dark" (related to sol "dark, dirty"), from P.Gmc. *salwa- (cf. M.Du. salu "discolored, dirty," O.H.G. salo "dirty gray," O.N. sölr "dirty yellow"), from PIE base *sal- "dirty, gray" (cf. O.C.S. slavojocije "grayish-blue color," Rus. solovoj "cream-colored").

sallow (n.) --- shrubby willow plant, O.E. sealh (Anglian salh), from P.Gmc. *salhjon (cf. O.N. selja, O.H.G. salaha, and first element in Ger. compound Salweide), fro PIE *sal(i)k- "willow" (cf. L. salix "willow," M.Ir. sail, Welsh helygen, Breton halegen "willow"). Fr. saule "willow" is from Frank. salha, from the Gmc. root. Used in Palm Sunday processions and decorations in England before the importing of real palm leaves began.

sally --- 1542 (n.), 1560 (v.), from M.Fr. saillie "a rushing forth," noun use of fem. pp. of saillir "to leap," from L. salire "to leap" (see salient).

Sally --- fem. proper name, alteration of Sarah (cf. Hal from Harry, Moll from Mary, etc.). Sally Lunn cakes (1780) supposedly named for the woman in Bath who first made them. Sally Ann as a nickname for Salvation Army is recorded from 1927.

salmagundi --- 1674, from Fr. salmigondis, originally "seasoned salt meats" (cf. Fr. salmis "salted meats"), from M.Fr. salmigondin, coined by Rabelais, of uncertain origin, but probably related to salomene "hodgepodge of meats or fish cooked in wine," (early 14c.), from O.Fr. salemine.

salmon --- 1205, from O.Fr. salmun, from L. salmonem (nom. salmo) "a salmon," possibly originally "leaper," from salire "to leap," though some dismiss this as folk etymology. Another theory traces it to Celtic. Replaced O.E. læx, from PIE *lax, the more usual word for the fish (see lox).

salmonella --- 1913, the genus name, coined 1900 in Mod.L. by J. Lignières in reference to U.S. veterinary surgeon Daniel E. Salmon (1850-1914), who isolated a type of the bacteria in 1885.

Salome --- fem. proper name, from L.L., from Gk. Salome, related to Salomon (see Solomon).

salon --- 1699, "large room or apartment in a palace or great house," from Fr. salon "reception room," from It. salone "large hall," from sala "hall," from a Gmc. source (cf. O.E. sele, O.N. salr "hall," O.H.G. sal "hall, house," Ger. Saal), from P.Gmc. *salaz, from PIE *sel- "human settlement" (cf. O.C.S. selo "courtyard, village," Lith. sala "village"). Sense of "reception room of a Parisian lady" is from 1810; meaning "gathering of fashionable people" first recorded 1888 (the woman who hosts one is a salonnière). Meaning "annual exhibition of contemporary paintings and sculpture in Paris" is from its originally being held in one of the salons of the Louvre. Meaning "establishment for hairdressing and beauty care" is from 1913.

saloon --- 1728, Anglicized form of salon (q.v.), and originally used interchangeable with it. Meaning large hall in a public place (esp. a passenger boat) is from c.1835, also used of railway cars furnished like drawing rooms. Sense of "public bar" developed by 1841, Amer.Eng.

salsa --- kind of sauce, 1846; kind of dance, 1975, from Sp., lit. "sauce," from V.L. *salsa "condiment" (see sauce). In Amer.Sp. esp. used of a kind of relish with chopped-up ingredients; the music so called from its blend of Latin jazz and rock styles.

salsify --- biennial plant, 1675, from Fr. salsifis, earlier sercifi, sassify (16c.), probably from It. erba salsifica, from O.It. salsifica, of uncertain origin, perhaps from L. sal "salt" + fricare "to rub."

SALT --- Cold War U.S.-U.S.S.R. nuclear weapons negotiations, 1968, acronym for "Strategic Arms Limitation Talks." The last element sometimes also is understood as treaty.

salt (n.) --- O.E. sealt (n. and adj.), from P.Gmc. *saltom (cf. O.S., O.N., O.Fris., Goth. salt, Du. zout, Ger. Salz), from PIE *sal- "salt" (cf. Gk. hals (gen. halos) "salt, sea," L. sal, O.C.S. soli, O.Ir. salann, Welsh halen, O.C.S. sali "salt"). Meaning "experienced sailor" is first attested 1840, in ref. to the salinity of the sea. Salt was long regarded as having power to repel spiritual and magical evil. Many metaphoric uses reflect that this was once a rare and important resource, cf. worth one's salt (1830), salt of the earth (O.E., after Matt. v:13). Belief that spilling salt brings bad luck is attested from 16c. To be above (or below) the salt (1597) refers to customs of seating at a long table according to rank or honor, and placing a large salt-cellar in the middle of the dining table. The verb is from O.E. sealtan, from P.Gmc. *salto-. Salt-lick first recorded 1751; salt marsh is O.E. sealtne mersc. Salt-and-pepper "of dark and light color" first recorded 1915. To take something with a grain of salt is from 1647, from Mod.L. cum grano salis. Saltine "salted cracker" is from 1907; salt-water taffy (1894) so called because it originally was sold at seashore resorts, esp. Atlantic City, N.J.

salt river --- a tidal river, 1659; as a proper name, used early 19c. with ref. to backwoods inhabitants of the U.S., especially Kentucky. U.S. political slang phrase to row (someone) up Salt River "send (someone) to political defeat" probably owes its origin to this, as the first attested use (1828) is in a Kentucky context.

saltbox --- receptacle for keeping salt for domestic use, 1611, from salt (n.) + box (n.). As a type of frame house, 1876, so called from resemblance of shape.

saltcellar --- 1434, from salt + Anglo-Norm. *saler "saltcellar" (14c.), from O.Fr. salier "salt box," from L. salarium, from a dim. of L. sal "salt." As the connection between *saler and "salt" was lost, salt- was tacked on to the beginning; second element altered on model of cellar.

saltire --- c.1400, an ordinary on a shield or flag like a St. Andrew's Cross, from M.Fr. saultoir, lit. "stirrup," from M.L. saltatorium, prop. neut. of L. saltatorius "pertaining to leaping," from salire "to leap" (see salient). The connection between a stirrup and the diagonal cross is perhaps the two deltoid shapes that comprise the cross.

saltpeter --- potassium nitrate, 1501, earlier salpetre (c.1325), from O.Fr. salpetre, from M.L. sal petrae "salt of rock," from L. sal "salt" (see salt) + petra "rock, stone." So called because it looks like salt encrusted on rock.

salty --- c.1440, "tasting of salt, impregnated with salt," from salt. Meaning "racy" is from 1866, from salt in the sense of "that which gives life or pungency" (1573, originally of words or wit). U.S. slang sense of "angry, irritated" is first attested 1938, especially in phrase jump salty "to unexpectedly become enraged."

salubrious --- 1547, from L. salubris "promoting health, healthful," from salus (gen. salutis) "welfare, health" (see salute).

salutary --- 1490, from M.Fr. salutaire "beneficial," from L. salutaris "healthful," from salus (gen. salutis) "good health" (see salute).

salutation --- 1382, from O.Fr. salutacion, from L. salutationem (nom. salutatio), from salutatus, pp. of salutare "to greet" (see salute). As a word of greeting (eliptical for "I offer salutation") it is recorded from 1535.

salutatorian --- 1847, from salutatory (adj.), 1670, "of the nature of a salutation," in the specific sense "designating the welcoming address given at a college commencement" (1702, the address usually in Latin), from L. salutatorius "pertaining to visiting or greeting," from salut-, pp. stem of salutare "to greet" (see salute).

salute (v.) --- c.1380, earlier salue (c.1300), from L. salutare "to greet," lit. "wish health to," from salus (gen. salutis) "greeting, good health," related to salvus "safe" (see safe). The noun is attested from c.1400 as an utterance, gesture, or action of any kind. The military and nautical sense of "display flags, fire cannons, etc., as a mark of respect" is recorded from 1582 (the noun in this sense is from 1698); sense of raising the hand to the cap in the presence of a superior officer is from 1832 (n.), 1844 (v.).

salvage (n.) --- 1645, "payment for saving a ship from wreck or capture," from Fr. salvage, from O.Fr. salver "to save" (see save). The general sense of "the saving of property from danger" is attested from 1878. Meaning "recycling of waste material" is from 1918, from the British effort in World War I. The verb is 1889, from the noun.