v. & n.
v.tr. (rescues, rescued, rescuing) 1 (often foll. by from) save or set free or bring away from attack, custody, danger, or harm. 2 Law a unlawfully liberate (a person). b forcibly recover (property).
n. the act or an instance of rescuing or being rescued; deliverance. rescue bid Bridge a bid made to get one's partner out of a difficult situation. rescuable adj. rescuer n.
[ ME rescowe f. OF rescoure f. Rmc, formed as RE- + L excutere (as EX-(1), quatere shake) ]