n. 1 balm, ointment, unguent, dressing, cream, lotion, demulcent, embrocation, liniment The doctor applied a salve to the wound and bandaged it 2 emollient, balm, palliative, tranquillizer, opiate, anodyne, narcotic, relief, assuagement The money was more a salve to his conscience than a token of his charity
v. 3 mitigate, relieve, ease, alleviate, assuage, palliate, soothe, mollify, comfort, appease There must be something you can do to allow them to save face and to salve their wounded pride