Salvage Meaning and Definition
Salvage
Pronunciation
/ˈsælvɪdʒ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The worthless or useless parts or remains of something, especially something that has been destroyed or damaged; the act of saving something that is likely to be lost or destroyed, especially from a shipwreck or disaster.
Examples
- The salvage team worked to retrieve valuable cargo from the sinking ship.
- The car was a complete write-off after the accident, but the salvage yard managed to sell some of the reusable parts.
Synonyms
- Wreckage
- Remains
- Debris
Antonyms
- New
- Intact
- Untouched
Etymology
The word “salvage” comes from the Old French word “saillir”, meaning “to save”, which is derived from the Latin “salvare”, meaning “to save” or “to rescue”.
Usage Notes
In general, “salvage” is used to describe the process of saving something from destruction or loss, often in emergency situations. It can also refer to the worthless or useless parts of something that has been destroyed or damaged.
Cultural References
The term “salvage” has been used in various cultural contexts, including literature, film, and music. For example, in the novel “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville, the character Captain Ahab uses the term “salvage” to describe his efforts to retrieve the valuable treasure from the wreck of his ship.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To salvage what remains
- To get something out of salvage
Related Words or Phrases
- Scrap
- Debris
- Wreck
Collocations
- Salvage operation
- Salvage team
- Salvage yard
Frequency of Use
The word “salvage” is not as commonly used as some other words in everyday conversation, but it can be found in various contexts, including literature, film, and emergency services.
Common Misspellings
- Saladge
- Salvij
- Salvaj