I. ˈsā-ˌlēn, -ˌlīn adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French salin, from Latin salinus, from sal salt — more at salt
Date: 15th century
1. : consisting of or containing salt
a saline solution
2. : of, relating to, or resembling salt : salty
a saline taste
3. : consisting of or relating to the salts of the alkali metals or of magnesium
a saline cathartic
• sa·lin·i·ty sā-ˈli-nə-tē, sə- noun
II. noun
Date: 1662
1. : a metallic salt ; especially : a salt of potassium, sodium, or magnesium with a cathartic action
2. : a saline solution ; especially : one isosmotic with body fluids