adj. & n.
adj. 1 jutting out; prominent; conspicuous, most noticeable. 2 (of an angle, esp. in fortification) pointing outwards (opp. RE-ENTRANT). 3 Heraldry (of a lion etc.) standing on its hind legs with the forepaws raised. 4 archaic a leaping or dancing. b (of water etc.) jetting forth.
n. a salient angle or part of a work in fortification; an outward bulge in a line of military attack or defence. salient point archaic the initial stage, origin, or first beginning. salience n. saliency n. saliently adv.
[ L salire leap ]