noun
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salve
sahv
Salve (noun) means a soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin. Example: “She rubbed salve into the burn to ease the pain.”
noun
1
A soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
"She rubbed salve into the burn to ease the pain."
verb
1
To soothe or ease something, especially a troubled conscience or feeling.
"He bought her flowers to salve his guilty conscience."
How to use salve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA healing cream, or figuratively, something that eases a bad feeling like guilt.
Common pairings
lip salve
salve a wound
salve one's conscience
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Word forms
- Plural
- salves
- Third person singular
- salves
- Past tense
- salved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She rubbed _____ into the burn to ease the pain.
Etymology
From Old English sealf, "ointment," tracing back to a very old root meaning "to smear."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for salve
See all rhymes for salve →Frequently asked questions
What does “salve” mean?
The word “salve” means a soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin. In plain terms, a healing cream, or figuratively, something that eases a bad feeling like guilt.
How do you pronounce “salve”?
“Salve” is pronounced sahv (/sæ(l)v/ in IPA).
How do you use “salve” in a sentence?
Here is “salve” used in a sentence: “She rubbed salve into the burn to ease the pain.”
What part of speech is “salve”?
Depending on how it is used, “salve” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “salve” come from?
The word “salve” comes from Old English. From Old English sealf, "ointment," tracing back to a very old root meaning "to smear.".
How many meanings does “salve” have?
“Salve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
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