safety-valve

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈseɪftɪˌvælv/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈseɪftiˌvælv/
• Hyphenation: safe‧ty-valve

Etymology 1

From safety valve (noun).

Verb

safety-valve (third-person singular simple present safety-valves, present participle safety-valving, simple past and past participle safety-valved) (transitive)

1. Sometimes followed by off:
   1. To use a relief valve on (a container holding a gas or vapour) to relieve excessive pressure which has built up inside.
   2. To install a relief valve on (such a container) for that purpose.
   3. (figuratively) To use some mechanism to relieve (physical or emotional pressure or tension).

Alternative forms

• safety valve

Translations

Etymology 2

See safety valve.

Noun

safety-valve (plural safety-valves)

1. Alternative form of safety valve
   • 1840, F[rederick] M[arryat], “Diary on the Continent. Chapter XIX.”, in Olla Podrida. , volume I, London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans, , →OCLC, pages 205–206:

     […] I have often thought that it was a great error in our legislature when they consented to put down the public lotteries in England. I am convinced that they were beneficial, acting as safety-valves to the gambling spirit of the nation, and that their prohibition has been productive of much crime and misery.

References