Salvage
Noun
Definition: The act of saving or rescuing property or goods from loss or destruction, especially after a disaster or accident.
Synonyms: Recovery, Retrieval, Reclamation
Antonyms: Loss, Destruction, Ruin
- The salvage of the shipwrecked cargo was a challenging and expensive operation.
- The salvage team managed to salvage some valuable artifacts from the ruins of the building.
- Think of the word "save" in salvage, indicating the act of saving or rescuing.
Verb
Definition: To save or protect property or goods from loss or destruction, especially after a disaster or accident.
Synonyms: Recover, Retrieve, Reclaim
Antonyms: Lose, Destroy, Abandon
- They managed to salvage some of the furniture from the fire-damaged house.
- The company attempted to salvage the failed project by making significant changes to its strategy.
- Imagine a salvage worker rescuing items from a sinking ship.
Etymology:
From Middle English "salvage", from Old French "salvage" (noun) and "salveger" (verb), ultimately from Late Latin "salvaticus" meaning "of the woods" or "wild".
Historical Usage:The term "salvage" originated from maritime activities where salvaging shipwrecks to recover lost cargo was common. Over time, it expanded to include the act of saving or recovering any valuable items or property.
Related Idioms:
"Salvage operation"
Explanation:Refers to a coordinated effort to recover and save valuable items or property, often in challenging or dangerous situations.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "salvage" with "salvation".
Explanation:While both words are related to saving or rescuing, "salvage" pertains specifically to property or goods, whereas "salvation" refers to the act of saving a person's soul or providing them with deliverance.