saviour
saviour
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "saviour" is /ˈseɪviər/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
sav - /seɪ/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative (like the 's' in 'sit')
/eɪ/ - diphthong (like the 'a' in 'face')
iour - /viər/
/v/ - voiced labiodental fricative (like the 'v' in 'van')
/i/ - close front unrounded vowel (like the 'i' in 'kit')
/ər/ - r-colored vowel (as in "butter") or sometimes represented as /ɪə(r)/ in some dialects.
Word Form Variations
saviour (singular noun)
saviours (plural noun)
saviouress (feminine noun, less common)
saviourhood (noun, referring to the state or quality of being a saviour)
saviourlike (adjective, resembling a saviour)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: A person who rescues someone or something from danger, harm, or loss.
Synonyms: rescuer, liberator, deliverer, protector, guardian, champion, hero
Antonyms: endangerer, threat, oppressor, tormentor, villain, antagonist
Definition 2: (Often capitalized) A figure or being, especially in religious contexts, who brings salvation or redemption.
Synonyms: redeemer, messiah, savior, the Christ, the anointed one
Antonyms: (Difficult to have direct antonyms in a religious context, but conceptually) tempter, adversary, the fallen one
Related Concepts (Not strictly different word classes, but related ideas):
Saviour complex: (noun) A psychological term for a person who feels a strong need to rescue others, often to their own detriment. This isn't a direct definition of "saviour" itself, but a related concept.
Synonyms: martyr complex, messiah complex
Antonyms: (Difficult to have direct antonyms, but conceptually) self-preservation, healthy boundaries
Saviour figure: (noun) A person who embodies the qualities of a saviour, even if they don't bring about complete salvation.
Synonyms: hero figure, role model, leader
Antonyms: antihero, villain figure
Examples of Use
Literature:
"He was no saviour, only a man trying to do his best." (Fictional example - this type of sentence is common in literature exploring themes of heroism and flawed characters). Many books, especially in fantasy and adventure genres, feature characters who are perceived or who strive to be saviours.
News/Online Publications:
"Local hero hailed as saviour after rescuing family from fire." (News article headline - common in local news highlighting acts of bravery). News outlets frequently report on individuals who act as saviours in emergencies.
"The tech entrepreneur positions himself as the saviour of the struggling company." (Business news - common in discussions of corporate takeovers or turnarounds). In the business world, figures who rescue companies from financial ruin are sometimes described as saviours.
"Is AI the saviour of healthcare, or a new threat?" (Online article discussing the potential of artificial intelligence). In discussions of technological advancements, the term "saviour" is sometimes used to describe the hoped-for benefits.
Entertainment:
Superhero movies often feature characters who are saviours of humanity or specific communities. (General observation - this is a common trope in superhero and action films). From Superman to Captain Marvel, the saviour archetype is a staple of superhero narratives.
"My cat is my saviour after a long day." (Social media post - common in informal communication expressing gratitude or affection). In everyday conversation, people use "saviour" metaphorically to describe anything that brings them relief or comfort.
Video games often feature a "chosen one" or hero character who is destined to be the saviour. (General observation - this is a common trope in video game narratives). Many RPGs and adventure games rely on the narrative of a character destined to save the world or a specific group.
General Public Discourse:
"We need a political saviour to fix this country." (Common sentiment expressed during political debates or discussions). During times of social or political unrest, the desire for a "saviour" figure to emerge is often expressed.
"She was a saviour to her family after her husband's death." (Common expression of gratitude and respect for someone who has provided significant support). In everyday life, people use "saviour" to acknowledge those who have helped them through difficult times.
10 Famous Quotes Using Saviour
"No man can be a good teacher unless he has himself remained a pupil. He must have at heart the interests of the learner, and be his guide, philosopher, and saviour." — Mahatma Gandhi
"The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation." — Charles Spurgeon
"Faith is the acknowledgment of the unseen, the acceptance of the unknown, and the trust in the Saviour." — Unknown
"The world is in need of a saviour, but it has only ever had one, and He already came." — Billy Graham
"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends, and in our darkest hour, our saviour finds us." — Unknown
"Jesus Christ is not only our Saviour, but He is also the model for our lives." — Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"There is no saviour but God; everything else is a temporary refuge." — C.S. Lewis
"Do not put your faith in a government or a system to be your saviour—only in truth and justice." — Thomas Jefferson (attributed)
"Every crisis seems to produce a new saviour, but true salvation is found within." — Unknown
"The first step to wisdom is the recognition of our need for a saviour." — Augustine of Hippo
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "saviour." Essentially, it comes from Latin and Old French roots related to saving.
Latin: The word originates from the Latin word "salvator," which means "one who saves." This Latin word itself comes from "salvare," meaning "to save."
Old French: "Salvator" became "sauveor" in Old French.
Middle English: The word then entered English as "saviour" in the Middle English period.
So, the word "saviour" literally means "one who saves."
The first known use of the word in English, according to available records, was likely during the Middle English period, around the 13th or 14th century. Its initial and primary meaning was, and still is, someone who rescues or delivers someone from danger or difficulty. Of course, very early on, it also took on a strong religious connotation, referring to Jesus Christ as the saviour of humankind. This religious usage is still very prominent.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Saviour
The word "saviour" isn't as prolific in common idioms and phrases as some other words. This is likely because its primary use is quite literal and its more prominent associations are religious, which tend to use more formal language. You don't often find casual, everyday idioms built around "saviour" in the same way you do with words like "time" or "money."
Phrases (more common):
My (personal) saviour: This is a common, though informal, way to express gratitude to someone who has helped you significantly. It's not a true idiom, but a figurative use of "saviour." "You were my saviour!" is a typical example.
A saviour in times of need: This phrase highlights the role of a saviour as someone who helps during difficult times.
Phrases (less common/original):
The saviour complex: As discussed before, this isn't about a saviour but a psychological tendency to want to be one.
Saviour figure: This refers to someone who embodies the qualities of a saviour, even if they don't perform a grand act of saving.
Why "saviour" isn't idiom-rich:
Idioms tend to develop from everyday experiences and concrete images. While the concept of saving is fundamental, the word "saviour" often carries a weight of importance (and, as mentioned, religious connotations) that makes it less suitable for casual, figurative language. We're more likely to use verbs like "rescue," "help," or "save" in informal idioms.
Idioms with synonyms or related concepts:
Since "saviour" itself doesn't generate a lot of idioms, we can look at idioms related to saving or rescuing:
To save the day: This is a very common idiom meaning to rescue a situation from disaster.
To come to someone's rescue: Similar to "save the day," this means to help someone in need.
To bail someone out: This idiom means to rescue someone from trouble, often financial trouble.
A lifesaver: This refers to someone or something that helps you in a critical situation. It's functionally similar to "saviour" in this context.
To pull someone out of the fire: This means to rescue someone from a difficult situation.
While these idioms don't use the word "saviour" directly, they capture the essence of the concept and are much more common in everyday language.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of saviour from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
