salve

1 of 3

noun

ˈsav 

ˈsäv,

ˈsalv,

ˈsälv

1

: an unctuous adhesive substance for application to wounds or sores

2

: a remedial or soothing influence or agency

a salve to their hurt feelings

salve

2 of 3

verb (1)

salved; salving

transitive verb

1

: to remedy (something, such as disease) with or as if with a salve

2

: quiet, assuage

give him a raise in salary to salve his feelings

—Upton Sinclair

salve

3 of 3

verb (2)

ˈsalv 

salved; salving

transitive verb

: salvage

salvor

ˈsal-vər 

-ˌvȯr

noun

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• becalm
• calm
• compose
• lull
• lullaby
• quiet
• quieten [chiefly British]
• settle
• soothe
• still
• tranquilize
• tranquillize

Examples of salve in a Sentence

Verb (1)

attempting to salve her conscience, she anonymously sent the store a sum of cash sufficient to cover the merchandise she had shoplifted

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Can dollars and cents salve wounds inflicted by steady streams of verbal invective during public comment sessions? —Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 11 May 2024

As a salve for students, the university is considering another informal event for May 15. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sealf; akin to Old High German salba salve, Greek olpē oil flask

Verb (2)

back-formation from salvage

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

salve

1 of 2 noun

ˈsav 

ˈsȧv

: a healing ointment

salve

2 of 2 verb

salved; salving

: to ease or soothe with or as if with a salve

Medical Definition

salve

noun

ˈsav  ˈsäv  ˈsȧv 

ˈsalv,

ˈsälv

: an unctuous adhesive substance for application to wounds or sores