sav•age . . . adjective / Etymology: Middle English sauvage, from Middle French, from Late Latin salvaticus, alteration of Latin silvaticus of the woods, wild, from silva wood, forest / Date: 13th century / 1 a : not domesticated or under human control : UNTAMED <savage beasts> b : lacking the restraints normal to civilized human beings : FIERCE, FEROCIOUS / 2 : WILD, UNCULTIVATED <seldom have I seen such savage scenery — Douglas Carruthers> / 3 a : BOORISH, RUDE <the savage bad manners of most motorists — M. P. O'Connor> b : MALICIOUS 4 : lacking complex or advanced culture : UNCIVILIZED synonym see FIERCE

sav•age . . . noun / Date: 15th century / 1 : a person belonging to a primitive society 2 : a brutal person 3 : a rude or unmannerly person

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