Res″cue (r?s″k?), 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.
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.
Syn. — To retake; recapture; free; deliver; liberate; release; save.