[sal.vage] n [F, fr. MF, fr. salver to save--more at save] (1645) 1 a: compensation paid for saving a ship or its cargo from the perils of the sea or for the lives and property rescued in a wreck b: the act of saving or rescuing a ship or its cargo c: the act of saving or rescuing property in danger (as from fire)
2. a: property saved from destruction in a calamity (as a wreck or fire) b: something extracted (as from rubbish) as valuable or useful
[2]salvage vt sal.vaged ; sal.vag.ing (1889): to rescue or save esp. from wreckage or ruin -- sal.vage.abil.i.ty n -- sal.vage.able adj -- sal.vag.er n