fail-safe Hear it!

fail-safe definition

fail·-safe (fāl′sāf′)

adjective

designating, of, or involving a procedure designed to prevent malfunctioning or unintentional operation, often specif. of nuclear-armed aircraft, through an intricate system of protective devices

Etymology: fail, v. + safe,

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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