SALVE

n. & v. --n. 1 a healing ointment. 2 (often foll. by for) a thing that is soothing or consoling for wounded feelings, an uneasy conscience, etc. 3 archaic a thing that explains away a discrepancy or palliates a fault. --v.tr. 1 soothe (pride, self-love, conscience, etc.). 2 archaic anoint (a wound etc.). 3 archaic smooth over, make good, vindicate, harmonize, etc. [OE s(e)alf(e), s(e)alfian f. Gmc; senses 1 and 3 of v. partly f. L salvare SAVE(1)]