salve Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
    unction; ointment; balm; unguent.
  2. noun anything that remedies or heals or soothes
    • he needed a salve for his conscience
  3. verb save from ruin, destruction, or harm
    save; relieve; salvage.
  4. verb apply a salve to, usually for the purpose of healing

WordNet

Sal"ve interjection
Etymology
L., hail, God save you, imperat. of salvere to be well. Cf. Salvo a volley.
Definitions
  1. Hail!
Sal"ve transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To say "Salve" to; to greet; to salute. Obs.
    By this that stranger knight in presence came, And goodly salved them. Spenser.
Salve noun
Etymology
AS. sealf ointment; akin to LG. salwe, D. zalve, zalf, OHG. salba, Dan. salve, Sw. salva, Goth. salbn to anoint, and probably to Gr. (Hesychius) oil, butter, Skr. sapris clarified butter. , 291.
Definitions
  1. An adhesive composition or substance to be applied to wounds or sores; a healing ointment. Chaucer.
  2. A soothing remedy or antidote.
    Counsel or consolation we may bring. Salve to thy sores. Milton.
Salve transitive verb
Etymology
AS. sealfian to anoint. See Salve, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Salved ; present participle & verbal noun Salving
Definitions
  1. To heal by applications or medicaments; to cure by remedial traetment; to apply salve to; as, to salve a wound. Shak.
  2. To heal; to remedy; to cure; to make good; to soothe, as with an ointment, especially by some device, trick, or quibble; to gloss over.
    But Ebranck salved both their infamies With noble deeds. Spenser.
    What may we do, then, to salve this seeming inconsistence? Milton.
    salve one's conscience. salve one's wounded pride
Salve transitive verb & intransitive verb
Etymology
See Salvage
Definitions
  1. To save, as a ship or goods, from the perils of the sea. Recent

Webster 1913