savor

[ sey-ver ]

/ ˈseɪ vər /

noun

the quality in a substance that affects the sense of taste or of smell.

a particular taste or smell.

distinctive quality or property.

power to excite or interest.

Archaic. repute.

verb (used without object)

to have savor, taste, or odor.

to exhibit the peculiar characteristics; smack (often followed by of): His business practices savor of greed.

verb (used with object)

to give a savor to; season; flavor.

to perceive by taste or smell, especially with relish: to savor the garden's odors.

to give oneself to the enjoyment of: to savor the best in life.

Words nearby savor

savoir-vivre, savona, savonarola, savonarola chair, savonarola, girolamo, savor, savory, savour, savoury, savoy, savoy alps

Also especially British, sa·vour.

Origin of savor

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English sav(o)ur < Old French savour < Latin sapōrem, accusative of sapor taste, derivative of sapere to taste (cf. sapient); (v.) Middle English sav(o)uren < Old French savourer < Late Latin sapōrāre, derivative of sapor

SYNONYMS FOR savor

1 relish, smack; odor, scent, fragrance. See taste.

OTHER WORDS FROM savor

sa·vor·er, nounsa·vor·ing·ly, adverbsa·vor·less, adjectivesa·vor·ous, adjective

out·sa·vor, verb (used with object)un·sa·vored, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH savor

savior savor savory

usage note for savor

See -or¹.

Examples from the Web for savors

Methinks it savors of the fashions of the late queen's reign.
The Catholic World. Volume II; Numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.|E. Rameur
He appeals to collective humanity, and there is no room for aught that savors of the trivial and base.
Renaissance in Italy: Italian Literature|John Addington Symonds
He smiles, and, turning, kneels before her in mock humility that savors of very real homage.
Mrs. Geoffrey|Duchess
It savors of kitchen mechanics, and, what is more, I do not wear a bonnet.
Sisters|Grace May North

The story of the life of Abraham Lincoln savors more of romance than reality.
Modern Eloquence: Vol III, After-Dinner Speeches P-Z|Various