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

The latest salvo features a 10-percent tariff on imports of softwood lumber, while duties on certain upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets start at 25 percent.

Read more on Barron's

The salvo overnight into Friday included 465 drones and 32 missiles, of which Ukraine shot down 406 drones and 15 missiles, according to its air force.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Disney and Universal lawsuit marked the first salvo by major studios to elevate the legal struggle over AI-enabled intellectual property, calling it content theft.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After a series of leg stretches, new defensive line coach Jethro Franklin offered an opening salvo to a group of nearby players.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Now, behold the latest DHS salvo: a July 23 X post of a 19th century painting by John Gast titled “American Progress.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barrage 
• bombardment 
• volley