saltcellar

[ sawlt-sel-er ]

noun

1. a shaker or dish for salt.

saltcellar

/ ˈsɔːltˌsɛlə /

noun

1. a small container for salt used at the table
2. informal.
   either of the two hollows formed above the collarbones of very slim people

Word History and Origins

Origin of saltcellar¹

1400–50; salt ¹ + cellar, for earlier saler saltcellar, late Middle English < Old French saliere < Latin salāria, noun use of feminine of salārius (adj.) pertaining to salt, equivalent to sal salt ¹ + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of saltcellar¹

changed (through influence of cellar) from C15 salt saler; saler from Old French saliere container for salt, from Latin salārius belonging to salt, from sal salt

Example Sentences

Without uttering a word, I pick up the heavy saltcellar, and fling it violently against the French mirror.

From Project Gutenberg

Saltcellar, sawlt′sel-ar, n. a small table vessel for holding salt.

From Project Gutenberg

Set the saltcellar on your lords right, and trenchers on the left of it.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a saltcellar of state, so called, and there may be a castor of state.

From Project Gutenberg

The user was expected to sprinkle the liquid over the fire just as salt is sprinkled from a saltcellar over meat.

From Project Gutenberg