fail-safe
- noun
- /ˈfeɪlˌseɪf/
- Specialized
- The engineering team created a fail-safe system to ensure the machinery shuts down safely in case of an emergency.
But I think all locks, though, do need to have like a fail safe kinda right.
- But I think all locks, though, do need to have like a fail safe kinda right.
- All of the above shouldn't fail you, but if you've worked with tech you'll know how often fail safes will fail.
Examples
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Those androids are programmed with a thermal fail-safe device.
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It's a fail-safe we built after 9/11 to back up all financial information.
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So they built in a fail-safe device.
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The fail-safe is still on-line?
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There is a fail-safe in the system in case you forget who goes before you.
Blog text (13) -
When we realized what he was planning, we built in two fail-safes.
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But it's important to make sure there's a fail-safe in case this does happen.
Blog text (23) -
Telerobotic surgery also requires fail-safe operation.
Academic text (1998) -
It's got three fail-safes.
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Another significant disadvantage with many electric valve actuators is that they do not offer a fail-safe condition.
Academic text (2003)
Synonyms
A system that helps people, usually with money, when they are in trouble
An alternative plan used when the main one fails
A plan or fund that protects against failure and emergencies
An automatic switch to a backup system when the main system stops working
How Safe
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Fail-safe comes from joining fail ('to go wrong') and safe ('not dangerous'), a term engineers used for devices that return to a safe state when something breaks. So a fail-safe is a device or part that makes sure things stay safe if there is a failure.