savour

British  

/ ˈseɪvə /

noun

1. the quality in a substance that is perceived by the sense of taste or smell

2. a specific taste or smell

   the savour of lime

3. a slight but distinctive quality or trace

4. the power to excite interest

   the savour of wit has been lost

5. archaic reputation

---

verb

1. to possess the taste or smell (of)

2. to have a suggestion (of)

3. (tr) to give a taste to; season

4. (tr) to taste or smell, esp appreciatively

5. (tr) to relish or enjoy

Other Word Forms

• savorous
  adjective
• savourless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of savour

C13: from Old French savour, from Latin sapor taste, from sapere to taste

Example Sentences

For old time’s sake, Gordon’s new book of salads for all seasons, Savour, includes a recipe for a condensed milk “mayonnaise”, even if he has swapped the mustard for the rather more modish wasabi paste.

From The Guardian • Mar. 20, 2016

“If asked my philosophy, it would be simply this: Savour life, don’t press too hard, don’t worry too much. Or as the old-timers say, ‘Enjoy,’” he wrote in his book.

From The Guardian • Jul. 7, 2015

Tolokonnikova walks to her news conference at Dozhd TV channel, with the Cathedral of Christ the Savour in the background, on Dec. 27, 2013.

From Slate • Jan. 9, 2014

Savour every moment you spend with the clips – you will never hear any of these songs ever again.

From The Guardian • May 28, 2010

Savour no more than thee behove shall; Do well thyself that other folk canst rede; And truth thee shall deliver, it is no dread.

From Chaucer by Ward, Adolphus William, Sir