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salve¹ Definition

salve (sav, säv)

noun

  1. any medicinal ointment applied to wounds, skin irritations, burns, etc. for purposes of soothing or healing
  2. anything that soothes or heals; balm a salve for one's conscience

Etymology: ME < OE sealf, akin to Ger salbe < IE base *selp-, fat, butter > Sans sarpis-, melted butter

transitive verb salved, salv′·ing

  1. Archaic to apply salve to (wounds, etc.)
  2. to soothe; smooth over; assuage

Etymology: ME salven < OE sealfian < the n.

salve² Definition

salve (salv)

transitive verb salved, salv′·ing

salvage

Etymology: back-form. < salvage

salve Synonyms

salve

n.

ointment, cerate, unguent, lubricant, balm, medicine, emollient, unction, counterirritant, remedy, help, cure, cream.

Common salves include: camphor ice, zinc oxide, menthol ice, aloe, calamine, coal tar, lanolin; Vaseline, Mentholatum, Ben-Gay, Vicks Vaporub (all trademarks).

salve Usage Examples

Object

  • conscience: If Rilke or Beethoven can salve the conscience of a guilty man then they too are guilty by association.
  • wound: The first installment is a bid to salve the wounds of those missing their daily dose of Pete Burns.
  • pride: British complain of being forced to wait for two days salving Russian pride.

Converse of object

make: When Erica had an eye infection he treated her with a salve made from the ash of a burnt viper's head.

Preposition: for

sore: The root can be used to make a salve for sores.

Adjective modifier

  • lip: Sun cream, insect repellent, lip salve, wet wipes, sewing kit.
  • repellent: Sun cream, insect repellent, lip salve, wet wipes, sewing kit.

Modifying Another Word

only: It is also the only salve by which troubled hearts and souls will find peace.

Browse dictionary entries near salve

  1. ‹ Salvation Army
  2. ‹ salvation
  3. ‹ salvage value
  4. ‹ salvage
  5. ‹ Salvadoran
  6. ‹ Salvador
  7. ‹ salvable
  8. ‹ salute
  9. ‹ salutatory
  10. ‹ salutatorian
  1. salver ›
  2. salverform ›
  3. salvia ›
  4. salvific ›
  5. salvo ›
  6. salvor ›
  7. Salween ›
  8. Salzburg ›
  9. SAM ›
  10. Sam Browne belt ›