1. One who preserves life.
1638. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (ed. 2), 234. The Doctors are nam’d Hackeems (it may be radically from the Hebrew word Hachajim, that is, a life-preserver).
2. A life-buoy, life-belt, or other contrivance used in saving life at sea.
1804. Naval Chron., XII. 189. The plan of the ‘Life Preserver’ here mentioned is borrowed from that of Commissary Bosquet.
1825. Hood, Ode to Mr. Dymoke. Nor would even the best of his earthly inventions, ‘Life preservers,’ have floated him out of this gore.
1850. Scoresby, Cheever’s Whaleman’s Adv., ii. (1859), 18. Taking … a life-preserver, I ventured into one of the little canoes.
3. A stick or bludgeon loaded with lead, intended for self-defence. Often referred to as a frequent weapon of burglars.
1837. Ann. Reg., 11. The prisoner was given in charge to the police, a life-preserver having been found upon him.
1851. Illustr. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 1056. Life-preservers, of whale-bone and cane, covered with leather.
1887. Spectator, 26 Feb., 285/1. When a burglar is armed with a bludgeon or a life-preserver.
