salvo

¹

[sal-voh]

noun

plural

salvos, salvoes 

1. a simultaneous or successive discharge of artillery, bombs, etc.

2. a round of fire given as a salute.

3. a round of cheers or applause.

salvo

²

[sal-voh]

noun

Archaic.

plural

salvos 

1. an excuse or quibbling evasion.

2. something to save a person's reputation or soothe a person's feelings.

salvo

¹

/ ˈsælvəʊ /

noun

1. a discharge of fire from weapons in unison, esp on a ceremonial occasion

2. concentrated fire from many weapons, as in a naval battle

3. an outburst, as of applause

salvo

²

/ ˈsælvəʊ /

noun

1. an excuse or evasion

2. an expedient to save a reputation or soothe hurt feelings

3. (in legal documents) a saving clause; reservation

Salvo

³

/ ˈsælvəʊ /

noun

1. slang,  a member of the Salvation Army

Word History and Origins

Origin of salvo¹

1585–95; earlier salva < Italian ≪ Latin salvē salve ³

Origin of salvo²

1635–45; < Latin salvō, ablative of salvus safe, found in legal phrases

Word History and Origins

Origin of salvo¹

C17: from Italian salva, from Old French salve, from Latin salvē! greetings! from salvēre to be in good health, from salvus safe

Origin of salvo²

C17: from such Medieval Latin phrases as salvō iurē the right of keeping safe, from Latin salvus safe

Example Sentences

This does not have to be an opening salvo in a cold war with your family and/or coded message to your sister.

Read more on MarketWatch

TOKYO—Japan’s cabinet has approved $135 billion of stimulus to help households cope with rising living costs and boost economic growth, launching the first fiscal salvo under new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That moment in Birmingham has been one of the few opening salvos to go the way of England, however.

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As the Mary Rose turned, preparing to fire another salvo from her port side, she listed with her starboard side low in the water.

Read more on Literature

That early salvo -- the first time in World Series history a team has hit back-to-back lead off home runs -- handed the Blue Jays a lead they would never relinquish.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• barrage 
• bombardment 
• volley