sal·vage (săl'vĭj)
n.

1. 1. The rescue of a ship, its crew, or its cargo from fire or shipwreck.
   2. The ship, crew, or cargo so rescued.
   3. Compensation given to those who voluntarily aid in such a rescue.
2. 1. The act of saving imperiled property from loss.
   2. The property so saved.
3. Something saved from destruction or waste and put to further use.

tr.v., -vaged, -vag·ing, -vag·es.

1. To save from loss or destruction.
2. To save (discarded or damaged material) for further use.

[Obsolete French, from Old French salvaige, right of salvage, from Late Latin salvāre, from Latin salvus, safe.]

salvageability sal'vage·a·bil'i·ty n.
salvageable sal'vage·a·ble adj.
salvager sal'vag·er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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