save = prevent?

[Mark Odegard]

Lynne Murphy:
>>A few moments thinking about the possible hazards and taking any necessary
>>steps to remove them, could save a tragedy - or even a life.
>
>Well, at least that answers the question of whether 'save a tragedy' was an
>American usage!

Zeugma!

Doug Wilson:
>This fits AHD4's transitive sense #6 ("obviate"), or transitive sense #3a
>in the M-W Web dictionary ("avoid"). RHUD's example of this sense: "come
>early in order to save waiting".

>I too find it odd when the thing avoided or prevented is something other
>than an expenditure (of time or money or equivalent).

It's the property shared by 'save a life' and 'save a soul', that of
'constrain (from something negative)'. 'Prevent' is close, but not exact.

Constrain a tragedy (from happening) or a life (from death).

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