English Lexicon

Safety pin

/ˈseɪf.ti pɪn/
nounCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #4500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A pin with a loop at one end to act as a spring and a point that is completely covered by a guard at the other end to prevent it from pricking the user.

    "She used a safety pin to temporarily repair the torn hem of her skirt."
  2. 2

    A makeshift fastener or decorative punk-subculture accessory.

    "Punk rockers in the 1970s often wore safety pins through their clothing as a form of anti-fashion decoration."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the noun safety (from Old French salfté, ultimately from Latin salinitas/salvus meaning safe) combined with pin (from Old English pinn, meaning peg or pin). Walter Hunt invented the modern safety pin in 1849, incorporating a clasp to cover the point and keep it fastened securely without injuring the user.

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