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Safety valve
Definitions
- 1 A valve set to open at a pressure below that at which a container holding a gas, vapour, etc. (such as a boiler or pressure cooker), would burst, thus reducing the pressure; a relief valve.
"Spun glass mattresses are used for lagging the boiler, which has three Ross pop safety valves on the front ring."
- 2 a valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous level wordnet
- 3 A valve set to close a container holding a gas or vapour to prevent excessive loss of pressure. broadly
- 4 Any mechanism offering relief from physical or emotional pressure or tension. figuratively
"[…] I have often thought that it was a great error in our legislature when they consented to put down the public lotteries in England. I am convinced that they were beneficial, acting as safety-valves to the gambling spirit of the nation, and that their prohibition has been productive of much crime and misery."
- 5 Any mechanism offering relief from physical or emotional pressure or tension.; A United States law, codified at 18 United States Code §3553(f), authorizing a judge to disregard mandatory minimum sentences for some criminals with few or no prior offenses. US, figuratively
"Hernández additionally requested that he be given a two-level safety-valve reduction pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5C1.2, which mitigates the harsh effect of mandatory minimum sentences on certain first-time offenders who played only supporting roles in drug-trafficking schemes and who provided testimony about their involvement in the criminal activity."
- 1 Alternative form of safety-valve. alt-of, alternative
Etymology
From safety + valve.
See safety-valve.
See also for "safety valve"
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Unscramble this word: safetyvalve