c.1300, "one who delivers or rescues from peril," also a title of Jesus Christ, from O.Fr. sauveour, from L.L. salvatorem (nom. salvator) "a saver, preserver" (cf. Sp. salvador, It. salvatore), from salvatus, pp. of salvare "to save" (see save (v.)). In Christian sense, translation
of Gk. soter "savior." Replaced O.E. hælend "healer."