lifeline

An anchored line thrown as a support to someone falling or drowning.

A line shot to a ship in distress.

A line used to raise and lower deep-sea divers.

A means or route by which necessary supplies are transported.

One that is or is regarded as a source of salvation in a crisis.

A diagonal line crossing the palm of the hand and believed to indicate the length and major events of one’s life.

A line used by firemen to lower people from a burning building.

Nautical: A rope stretched anywhere on a vessel for the safety of the men in bad weather or when they are manning yards: in the latter case it is stretched from the mast to the lift.