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."