First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
rescue
verb res·cue \ˈres-(ˌ)kyü\
: to save (someone or something) from danger or harm
res·cuedres·cu·ing
Full Definition of RESCUE
transitive verb
: to free from confinement, danger, or evil : save, deliver: as a : to take (as a prisoner) forcibly from custody b : to recover (as a prize) by force c : to deliver (as a place under siege) by armed force
— res·cu·able \-ə-bəl\ adjective
— rescue noun
— res·cu·er noun
See rescue defined for English-language learners
See rescue defined for kids
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Origin of RESCUE
Middle English rescouen, rescuen, from Anglo-French rescure, from re- + escure to shake off, from Latin excutere, from ex- + quatere to shake
Related to RESCUE
- Antonyms
- adventure, compromise, endanger, gamble (with), hazard, imperil, jeopardize, peril, risk, venture
Synonym Discussion of RESCUE
rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger. rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action <rescued the crew of a sinking ship>. deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering <delivered his people from bondage>. redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary <job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment>. ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity <tried to ransom the kidnap victim>. reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased <reclaimed long-abandoned farms>. save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence <an operation that saved my life>.
RESCUING Defined for Kids
1rescue
verb res·cue \ˈre-skyü\
res·cuedres·cu·ing
Definition of RESCUE for Kids
: to free from danger : save <The family's dog was rescued from the fire.>
— res·cu·er noun
Headscratcher for RESCUE
Rescue and secure have the same letters and have related meanings. To rescue someone is to make them safe and secure from harm.
2rescue
noun
Definition of RESCUE for Kids
: an act of freeing someone or something from danger
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