salient

[sey-lee-uhnt, seyl-yuhnt]

adjective

1. prominent or conspicuous.

   salient traits.

   Synonyms: remarkable, striking, important
   Antonyms: unimportant, inconspicuous

2. projecting or pointing outward.

   a salient angle.

3. leaping or jumping.

   a salient animal.

4. Heraldry.,  (of a beast) represented as leaping.

   a lion salient.

noun

1. a salient angle or part, as the central outward-projecting angle of a bastion or an outward projection in a battle line.

2. Physical Geography.,  a landform that extends out beyond its surroundings, as a spur projecting from the side of a mountain.

salient

/ ˈseɪlɪənt /

adjective

1. prominent, conspicuous, or striking

   a salient feature

2. (esp in fortifications) projecting outwards at an angle of less than 180° Compare re-entrant

3. geometry (of an angle) pointing outwards from a polygon and hence less than 180° Compare re-entrant

4. (esp of animals) leaping

noun

1. military a projection of the forward line into enemy-held territory

2. a salient angle

Other Word Forms

• saliently adverb
• unsalient adjective
• unsaliently adverb
• salience noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of salient¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin salient-, stem of saliēns “jumping,” present participle of salīre “to spring, jump”

Word History and Origins

Origin of salient¹

C16: from Latin salīre to leap

Example Sentences

But race remains a politically and culturally salient issue.

From Salon

“However, it can be a relevant factor when considered along with other salient factors.”

From Los Angeles Times

"However, it can be a 'relevant factor' when considered along with other salient factors."

From BBC

The commission said this was "a salient reminder to the commission not to jump to conclusions and the dangers of drawing adverse inferences from events unknown".

From BBC

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had valuable and salient Epstein information sitting on her desk, but she later recanted when she was apparently told to do so.

From Salon

Related Words

• arresting 
• conspicuous 
• pertinent 
• weighty