Finding the Meaning of 'Save'

The question asks us to find the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "save" in the sentence: "Can medicines save us from death?". To answer this, we need to understand what "save" means in this specific context and then compare it with the given options.

Understanding the Word 'Save' in Context

In the sentence "Can medicines save us from death?", the word "save" means to prevent someone from dying or to bring someone back from a situation where they are likely to die. It implies an action that prevents a fatal outcome.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at each option and see how well it fits the meaning of "save" in our sentence:

• Hide: To hide means to keep someone or something from being seen or found. This is not related to preventing death.
• Rescue: To rescue means to save someone from a dangerous or difficult situation. Being saved from death is certainly a dangerous and difficult situation. This word fits the context well.
• Protect: To protect means to keep someone or something safe from harm or injury. While protecting can sometimes prevent death, "rescue" is a stronger word for being actively pulled back from the brink of death, which is what "save from death" implies. "Rescue" is often used when someone is already in imminent danger.
• Liberate: To liberate means to set someone free from imprisonment or oppression. This meaning is not relevant to being saved from death.

Comparing 'Save' and 'Rescue'

In the context of preventing death, "save" and "rescue" are very close in meaning. "Rescue" specifically refers to saving someone from danger or distress, which aligns perfectly with the idea of being saved from death. While "protect" is related to keeping safe, "rescue" more accurately describes the act of pulling someone out of a life-threatening situation.

Therefore, among the given options, "Rescue" is the word that is nearest in meaning to "save" in the sentence "Can medicines save us from death?".

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the word "save" and the provided options, the word nearest in meaning to "save" in the given sentence is "Rescue".

Revision Table: Exploring Vocabulary

Additional Information: Synonyms for Saving Lives

When talking about saving someone from a life-threatening situation, several words can be used, though they might have slightly different nuances:

• Rescue: As discussed, pulling someone out of imminent danger.
• Revive: Bringing someone back to consciousness or life.
• Resuscitate: Similar to revive, often implies medical procedures like CPR.
• Heal: To make someone healthy again after illness or injury (can indirectly save a life).
• Preserve: To maintain something in its original or existing state (can refer to preserving life).

In the context of the original sentence, "Can medicines save us from death?", "Rescue" is the most fitting synonym among the choices provided because medicines are used to actively intervene and prevent death in a dangerous health situation.