ἀσφαλής
Etym. σφάλλομαι
I. "not liable to fall, immoveable, steadfast, firm", θεῶν ἕδος Od., etc.
2. of friends and the like, "unfailing, trusty", Soph., etc.: c. inf., φρονεῖν γὰρ οἱ ταχεῖς οὐκ ἀσφαλεῖς the hasty in council are not "safe", id=Soph.: so of things, "sure, certain", Thuc., etc.
3. "assured from danger, safe, secure", Soph., etc.; ἐν ἀσφαλεῖ in "safety", Thuc.; τὸ ἀσφαλές ῀ ἀσφάλεια, id=Thuc.; ἀσφαλές [ἐστι], c. inf., "it is safe" to.., Ar.
4. ἀσφ. ῥήτωρ "a convincing" speaker, id=Ar.
II. epic adv. ἀσφαλέως ἔχειν or μένειν to be, remain "fast, firm, steady", Hom.; so neut. ἀσφαλές as adv., id=Hom.; ἀσφ. ἀγορεύει "without faltering", Od.; ἔμπεδον ἀσφαλέως "without fail for ever", Hom.; still further strengthd., ἔμπεδον ἀσφαλὲς ἀεί Il.
III. attic adv. ἀσφαλῶς in all senses of the adj., "in safety, with certainty", Soph.:—comp. -έστερον, Hdt., Plat.; Sup. -έστατα, id=Plat.