salve

[ sav, sahv ]

/ sæv, sɑv /

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See synonyms for: salve / salved on Thesaurus.com

noun

a medicinal ointment for healing or relieving wounds and sores.

anything that soothes, mollifies, or relieves.

verb (used with object), salved, salv·ing.

to soothe with or as if with salve; assuage: to salve one's conscience.

OTHER WORDS FOR salve

3 ease, alleviate; mollify.

See synonyms for salve on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of salve

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun salve, salwe, salf(e), Old English sealf, salf; cognate with German Salbe “ointment, salve,” Sanskrit sarpís “melted butter, fat”; verb derivative of the noun

Words nearby salve

Salvation Army, Salvationist, Salvation Jane, Salvatore, salva veritate, salve, Salvemini, salver, Salve Regina, salverform, salvia

Other definitions for salve (2 of 3)

salve²

[ salv ]

/ sælv /

verb (used with or without object), salved, salv·ing.

to save from loss or destruction; to salvage.

Origin of salve

First recorded in 1700–10; back formation from salvage

Other definitions for salve (3 of 3)

salve³

[ sal-vee; Latin sahl-wey ]

/ ˈsæl vi; Latin ˈsɑl weɪ /

interjection

hail!

Origin of salve

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin salvē! literally, “be in good health!”; cf. salute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use salve in a sentence

Allowing restaurants to sell cocktails-to-go would be a much-needed salve for the beleaguered industry
Twin Cities Restaurants Band Together to Push for Legalized Cocktail Sales|Joy Summers|February 1, 2021|Eater
I have tried CBD salves and THC spliffs, no beer and way too much of it.
Did Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail Ruin My Body?|Grayson Haver Currin|January 25, 2021|Outside Online
Since 1919, Wahl’s products have expanded to include personal massagers, pet groomers, and other hair care salves, shampoos, and lotions.
The best beard trimmer: Shape your facial hair with ease|Carsen Joenk|January 19, 2021|Popular-Science
This aromatic butternut squash and pear soup is a nourishing salve for chilly days
Our favorite orzo recipes for meals in minutes|Kari Sonde|December 3, 2020|Washington Post

Washington needed to score to salve its nightmarish start and set up a second-half comeback.
How Washington’s passing offense clicked against the Giants — and what it means going forward|Sam Fortier|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
Its readership expands in times when more of us need its particular brand of salve.
What the Forward Prize Doesn’t Recognize About Poets|Mandy Kahn|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His only salve has been counting down the days until graduation.
Mormon U. Forces Gays to Be Celibate|Emily Shire|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was comforting, a temporary salve, but we both agreed I should see someone more regularly in New York.
My Therapist Dumped Me|Lizzie Crocker|April 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then came remedies: the powder, the salve, the wondrous elixir.
New Study Says Doctors Can’t “Just Say No” to Their Patients|Kent Sepkowitz|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With it, we can help salve the seething anger that the fearful mainstream senses in the streets.
Why The Zombie Tea Party Won’t Stay Dead|James Poulos|October 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
For one minute he even contemplated holding the two up and taking enough to salve his hurt pride and his endangered reputation.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
It was a device by which thousands have tried to salve their consciences, and to try to find an excuse for wrong-doing.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking
How eager they will then be to prove their confidence by exaggerated devotion, to salve their guilty conscience!
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
Well, I'll make the salve an' do the talkin'; Giz'll sort o' whoop things up a bit and Lut'er'll git cured.
Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays|Various
Still, if trapped thus, they salve their consciences with the remark: The Christian had the sin, and I had the good dinner.
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram

British Dictionary definitions for salve (1 of 2)

salve¹

/ (sælv, sɑːv) /

noun

an ointment for wounds, sores, etc

anything that heals or soothes

verb (tr)

to apply salve to (a wound, sore, etc)

to soothe, comfort, or appease

Word Origin for salve

Old English sealf; related to Old High German salba, Greek elpos oil, Sanskrit sarpis lard

British Dictionary definitions for salve (2 of 2)

salve²

/ (sælv) /

verb

a less common word for salvage

an archaic word for save 1 (def. 3)

Word Origin for salve

C18: from salvage

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

salve

OTHER WORDS FOR salve

Origin of salve

Words nearby salve

Other definitions for salve (2 of 3)

Origin of salve

Other definitions for salve (3 of 3)

Origin of salve

Words related to salve

How to use salve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for salve (1 of 2)

Word Origin for salve

British Dictionary definitions for salve (2 of 2)

Word Origin for salve