life preserver

American  

noun

1. a buoyant jacket, belt, or other like device for keeping a person afloat.

2. British Slang. a weapon, especially a short stick with a weighted head; blackjack.

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life preserver British  

noun

1. a club or bludgeon, esp one kept for self-defence

2. a life belt or life jacket

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Etymology

Origin of life preserver

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

I let myself play the victim twice — first of the debt itself, then of the life preserver tossed to bring me back onboard.

From Salon

In a tempest of tragedy, basketball was his life preserver.

From Los Angeles Times

Landon Knack has been a human life preserver for the Dodgers, an unsung rookie right-hander who has helped keep the rotation afloat when seas get a little rough.

From Los Angeles Times

We could barely see above the pile in the carpet, but the Upstairs Cranstons were all out of their cabins, jostling each other and retying the ties on their life preservers.

From Literature

With no parachutes, no life preservers, no rafts and no radios, the four planes guided by eight U.S.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• life jacket
• life vest