safe-conduct
    n 1: a document or escort providing safe passage through a
         region especially in time of war [syn: safe-conduct,
         safeguard]

Safe-conduct \Safe"-con"duct\, n. [Safe + conduct: cf. F.
   sauf-conduit.]
   That which gives a safe passage; either
   (a) a convoy or guard to protect a person in an enemy's
       country or a foreign country, or
   (b) a writing, pass, or warrant of security, given to a
       person to enable him to travel with safety. --Shak.
       [1913 Webster]

Safe-conduct \Safe`-con*duct"\, v. t.
   To conduct safely; to give safe-conduct to. [Poetic]
   [1913 Webster]

         He him by all the bonds of love besought
         To safe-conduct his love.                --Spenser.
   [1913 Webster]

SAFE-CONDUCT, comm. law, war. A passport or permission from a neutral state 
to persons who are thus authorized to go and return in safety, and, 
sometimes, to carry away certain things, in safety. According to common 
usage, the term passport is employed on ordinary occasions, for the 
permission given to persons when there is no reason why they should not go 
where they please: and safe-conduct is the name given to the instrument 
which authorizes certain persons, as enemies, to go into places where they 
could not go without danger, unless thus authorized by the government. 
     2. A safe-conduct is also the name of an instrument given to the 
captain or master of a ship to proceed on a particular voyage: it usually 
contains his name and residence, the name, description and destination of 
the ship, with such other matters as the practice of the place requires. 
This document is indispensably necessary for the safety of every neutral 
ship. 
     3. The act of congress of April 30th, 1790, s. 27, punishes the 
violation of any safe-conduct or passport granted under the authority of the 
United States, on conviction, with imprisonment, not exceeding three years, 
and a fine at the discretion of the court. Vide Conduct; Passport; and 18 
Vin. Ab. 272.