sav•age
Pronunciation: (sav'ij), [key]
— adj., n., v., -aged, -ag•ing.
—adj.
- fierce, ferocious, or cruel; untamed: savage beasts.
- uncivilized; barbarous: savage tribes.
- enraged or furiously angry, as a person.
- unpolished; rude: savage manners.
- wild or rugged, as country or scenery: savage wilderness.
- uncultivated; growing wild.
—n.
- an uncivilized human being.
- a fierce, brutal, or cruel person.
- a rude, boorish person.
- a member of a preliterate society.
—v.t.
- to assault and maul by biting, rending, goring, etc.; tear at or mutilate: numerous sheep savaged by dogs.
- to attack or criticize thoroughly or remorselessly; excoriate: a play savaged by the critics.
Sav•age
Pronunciation: (sav'ij), [key]
— n.
- 1872–1940, New Zealand statesman and labor leader: prime minister 1935–40.
- 1697?–1743, English poet.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.