child-safety
UK[ˈtʃaɪld ˌseɪf.ti]US[ˈtʃaɪld ˌseɪf.ti]
n
The condition of being safe for children; measures or features designed to protect children from harm or injury.
Morpheme Breakdown
child
safety
child
young person
safety
condition of being safe
Etymology
The compound noun 'child-safety' is a modern formation built from two foundational English words. 'Child' has ancient Germanic roots, originating from a Proto-Germanic term for offspring or young human. 'Safety' entered English via Anglo-Norman, tracing back to the Latin salvus, meaning 'uninjured' or 'healthy', with the abstract noun-forming suffix -tas evolving into English -ty. The compound's logic is transparently descriptive: it directly combines the concept of a young person ('child') with the state of being protected from danger ('safety'), creating a term that specifically denotes protective measures or a secure environment for the young. This reflects a societal focus on creating designated safeguards for a vulnerable demographic.
Analysis
Structure: child (young person) + safety (condition of being safe)
- child: From Old English cild, of Germanic origin, related to Dutch kind and German Kind. Functions as a noun, specifying the object of protection.
- safety: From Old French sauveté, based on Latin salvus 'safe'. The suffix -ty (from Latin -tas) forms a noun indicating a state or condition. Functions as the head noun, indicating the state being provided.
Examples
The new car model boasts advanced child-safety features, including reinforced door locks.
Parents should always prioritize child-safety when buying furniture for the nursery.
The government launched a campaign to raise public awareness about window guard child-safety.