Savage definition

To make savage. "Its bloodhounds, savaged by a cross of wolf." (South)

1. Of or pertaining to the forest; remote from human abodes and cultivation; in a state of nature; nature; wild; as, a savage wilderness.

2. Wild; untamed; uncultivated; as, savage beasts. "Cornels, and savage berries of the wood." (Dryden)

3. Uncivilized; untaught; unpolished; rude; as, savage life; savage manners. "What nation, since the commencement of the Christian era, ever rose from savage to civilized without Christianity?" (E. D. Griffin)

4. Characterised by cruelty; barbarous; fierce; ferocious; inhuman; brutal; as, a savage spirit.

Synonyms: Ferocious, wild, uncultivated, untamed, untaught, uncivilized, unpolished, rude, brutish, brutal, heathenish, barbarous, cruel, inhuman, fierce, pitiless, merciless, unmerciful, atrocious. See Ferocious.

Origin: F. Sauvage, OF. Salvage, fr. L. Silvaticus belonging to a wood, wild, fr. Silva a wood. See Silvan, and cf. Sylvatic.

(01 Mar 1998)