from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Rescue \Res"cue\ (r[e^]s"k[-u]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rescued}
(-k?d);p. pr. & vb. n. {Rescuing}.] [OE. rescopuen, OF.
rescourre, rescurre, rescorre; L. pref. re- re- + excutere to
shake or drive out; ex out + quatere to shake. See {Qtash} to
crush, {Rercussion}.]
To free or deliver from any confinement, violence, danger, or
evil; to liberate from actual restraint; to remove or
withdraw from a state of exposure to evil; as, to rescue a
prisoner from the enemy; to rescue seamen from destruction.
[1913 Webster]
Had I been seized by a hungry lion,
I would have been a breakfast to the best,
Rather than have false Proteus rescue me. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To retake; recapture; free; deliver; liberate; release;
save.
[1913 Webster]