n.
Pronunciation: ' res-( ˌ )kyü
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: res · cued ; res · cu · ing
Etymology: Middle English rescouen, rescuen, from Anglo-French rescure, from re- + escure to shake off, from Latin excutere, from ex- + quatere to shake
Date: 14th century
: 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 -b ə l \ adjective
– rescue noun
– res · cu · er noun
synonyms 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 specif. 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>.