What is "rescuing"

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.

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.

n. The act of effecting a rescue. vb. (present participle of rescue English)