savory

The definition of savory is food that is salty or spicy, not sweet, or something that is morally acceptable.

(adjective)

  1. A spicy sauce that isn't sweet is an example of a savory sauce.
  2. An action that respects common morals is an example of a savory action.

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See savory in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective savorier, savoriest

  1. pleasing to the taste or smell; appetizing
  2. pleasant, agreeable, attractive, etc.
  3. morally acceptable; respectable
  4. salty or piquant; not sweet: a savory relish

Origin: ME savouri < OFr savouré, pp. of savourer, to taste < savour, savor

noun pl. savories

in England and Canada, a small, highly seasoned portion of food served at the end of a meal or as an appetizer
Brit. sp. savoury

Related Forms:

noun

any of a genus (Satureja) of aromatic mints; esp., (S. hortensis) and (S. montana), both native to Europe and used in cooking

Origin: ME saverey < OFr savoreie, altered (prob. by assoc. with savour, savor) < L satureia, savory

See savory in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Appetizing to the taste or smell: a savory stew.
  2. Piquant, pungent, or salty to the taste; not sweet.
  3. Morally respectable; inoffensive: a past that was scarcely savory.
noun pl. sa·vor·ies
A dish of pungent taste, such as anchovies on toast or pickled fruit, sometimes served in Great Britain as an hors d'oeuvre or instead of a sweet dessert.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English savure

Origin: , from Old French savoure

Origin: , past participle of savourer, to taste

Origin: , from Late Latin sapōrāre

Origin: , from Latin sapor, flavor; see savor

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Related Forms:

  • saˈvor·i·ly adverb
  • saˈvor·i·ness noun

noun pl. sa·vor·ies
  1. An annual Mediterranean aromatic herb (Satureja hortensis) of the mint family, having flowers with a pale lavender to white corolla. Also called summer savory.
  2. A related Mediterranean aromatic herb (Satureja montana) having flowers in a long, white or pink corolla. Also called winter savory.
  3. The leaves of either of these plants, used as seasoning.
  4. Any of several plants of the genus Micromeria in the mint family.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English saverey

Origin: , alteration of Old French sarree

Origin: , alteration of Latin saturēia

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