First Known Use: 1645
Dictionary
1salvage
noun sal·vage \ˈsal-vij\
: the act of saving something (such as a building, a ship, or cargo) that is in danger of being completely destroyed
: something (such as cargo) that is saved from a wreck, fire, etc.
Full 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
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Origin of SALVAGE
French, from Middle French, from salver to save — more at save
2salvage
transitive verb
: to remove (something) from a place so that it will not be damaged, destroyed, or lost
: to save (something valuable or important) : to prevent the loss of (something)
sal·vagedsal·vag·ing
Full 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
First Known Use of SALVAGE
1889
SALVAGE Defined for Kids
1salvage
noun sal·vage \ˈsal-vij\
Definition of SALVAGE for Kids
1
: the act of saving a ship or its cargo
2
: the saving or rescuing of possessions in danger of being lost (as from fire)
3
: something that is saved (as from a wreck)
2salvage
verb
sal·vagedsal·vag·ing
Definition of SALVAGE for Kids
: to recover (something usable) especially from wreckage or ruin <Avoiding the smoldering piles, she picked through the black wood, hoping to find something to salvage. — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising>
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