salve

1
[ sav, sahv ]
/ sæv, sɑv /

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.

Origin of salve

1
before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English sealf; cognate with German Salbe salve, Sanskrit sarpis melted butter; (v.) Middle English salven, Old English sealfian

Definition for salve (2 of 3)

salve 2
[ salv ]
/ sælv /

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

to save from loss or destruction; to salvage.

Origin of salve

2
First recorded in 1700–10; back formation from salvage

Definition for salve (3 of 3)

salve 3
[ sal-vee; Latin sahl-wey ]
/ ˈsæl vi; Latin ˈsɑl weɪ /

interjection

Origin of salve

3
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin salvē! literally, be in good health!; cf. salute

Example sentences from the Web for salve

British Dictionary definitions for salve (1 of 2)

salve 1
/ (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)

salve 2
/ (sælv) /

verb

a less common word for salvage
an archaic word for save 1 (def. 3)

Word Origin for salve

C18: from salvage

Medical definitions for salve

salve
[ săv, säv ]

n.

An analgesic or medicinal ointment.

Other words from salve

salve v.