salvo

¹ American  

[sal-voh] / ˈsæl voʊ /

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.

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salvo ² American  

[sal-voh] / ˈsæl voʊ /

noun

Archaic.

plural

salvos

1. an excuse or quibbling evasion.

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

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salvo ¹ British  

/ 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

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salvo ² British  

/ 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

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Salvo ³ British  

/ ˈsælvəʊ /

noun

1. slang a member of the Salvation Army

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

It was the latest salvo in an escalating standoff that started in September with a massive naval deployment for what Washington called an anti-narcotics operation.

From Barron's

The European Commission on Thursday accused Meta Platforms of violating antitrust rules, in the latest salvo by European regulators against American technology firms.

From MarketWatch

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

From 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.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

Related Words

• barrage
• bombardment
• volley