1. The act or an instance of saving or freeing someone from danger or captivity.
2. The forcible and unlawful freeing of a person from arrest or imprisonment.
— Also termed rescous. [Cases: Rescue
1. C.J.S. Escape §§ 28–31, 33.]
“A rescue signifies a forcible setting at liberty, against law, of a person duly arrested. It is necessary, that the rescuer should have knowledge that the person whom he sets at liberty has been apprehended for a criminal offence, if he be in the custody of a private person; but if he be under the care of an officer, then he is to take notice of it at his peril.” 1 Joseph Chitty, A Practical Treatise on the Criminal Law 62 (2d ed. 1826).
3. The forcible retaking by the owner of goods that have been lawfully distrained.
— Also termed rescous. Cf. REPOSSESSION.
4. Int’l law. The retaking of a prize by persons captured with it, so that the property is legally restored to its original owner. See POSTLIMINIUM(3). — rescue, vb.
