Salvageable
/ˈsæl.vɪ.dʒə.bəl/noun
Able to be saved, recovered, or repaired.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to Latin *salvus*, meaning “safe” or “unharmed,” the same sacred root behind *salvation*—so *salvageable* began as a word about being capable of being rescued.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sol-
“to be whole, safe, well”
Classical Latin
Latin
salvus
“safe, unharmed, in good health”
Late Latin
Latin
salvare
“to save, preserve”
Old French
Old French
salvage
“a payment for rescue; later, property saved from loss”
Middle English
English
salvage
“rescue, saving of goods from loss or destruction”
18th Century
English
salvageable
“capable of being saved or recovered”
Modern English
English
salvageable
“capable of being repaired, restored, or recovered”
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