SAFETY COFFIN Meaning and
Definition
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A safety coffin, also known as a security coffin or a life-preserving coffin, is a specialized burial container designed with mechanisms intended to prevent premature burial and to provide a means of escape in the event of accidental interment. It was primarily developed during the 19th century when there was a heightened fear of being buried alive due to limited medical knowledge and unreliable signs of death.
The main purpose of a safety coffin is to ensure that any individual who might awake after being mistakenly declared dead can alert others and escape from the enclosed space. These coffins typically feature various mechanisms and devices that can be activated from within, such as a bell, a flag, or a breathing tube that extends above the ground, along with oxygen supply in some cases. These devices were designed to provide visual or auditory signals that someone had been mistakenly buried, allowing them to be rescued in time.
Although safety coffins were once popular and several designs were patented, advancements in medical science, improved diagnostic techniques, and the use of modern embalming procedures have made them obsolete. Today, the use of safety coffins is rare, and their significance is primarily historical. However, they remain an intriguing part of burial traditions and serve as a poignant reminder of humanity's fascination with mortality and the fear of being buried alive.
Common Misspellings for SAFETY COFFIN
- Safeity Coffin
- Saftey Coffin
- Safetey Coffin
- Safetey Coffen
- Safey Coffin
- Safity Coffin
- Safty Coffin
Etymology of SAFETY COFFIN
The word "safety coffin" is a compound noun comprised of "safety" and "coffin".
The term "safety" originated from the Latin word "safetatem", meaning "freedom from danger, secure, soundness". It entered the English language in the 14th century and mainly referred to the state of being free from harm or risk.
The word "coffin" has its roots in Old French, coming from the Latin word "cophinus", meaning "basket" or "chest". It was adopted into Middle English in the 14th century and has been used to refer to a burial box or container for the deceased.
Therefore, the etymology of "safety coffin" is a combination of the words "safety" and "coffin", creating a term that encompasses the idea of a coffin designed with safety features or mechanisms.
