salvage

¹sal·vage

noun \ˈsal-vij\

Definition of SALVAGE

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

Examples of SALVAGE

1. The ship was beyond salvage.
2. the salvage from the wrecked ship

Origin of SALVAGE

French, from Middle French, from salver to save — more at save

First Known Use: 1645

²salvage

transitive verb

sal·vagedsal·vag·ing

Definition of SALVAGE

: to rescue or save especially from wreckage or ruin

— sal·vage·abil·i·ty \ˌsal-vi-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— sal·vage·able \ˈsal-vi-jə-bəl\ adjective

— sal·vag·er noun

Examples of SALVAGE

1. Divers salvaged some of the sunken ship's cargo.
2. Few of their possessions were salvaged from the fire.
3. He is trying to salvage his marriage.

First Known Use of SALVAGE

1889