n.
Pronunciation: ' so ̇ lt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sealt; akin to Old High German salz salt, Lithuanian saldus sweet, Latin sal salt, Greek hals salt, sea
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a crystalline compound NaCl that consists of sodium chloride, is abundant in nature, and is used especially to season or preserve food or in industry ― called also common salt b : a substance (as Glauber's salt) resembling common salt c plural (1) : a mineral or saline mixture (as Epsom salts) used as an aperient or cathartic (2) : SMELLING SALTS d : any of various compounds that result from replacement of part or all of the acid hydrogen of an acid by a metal or a group acting like a metal : an ionic crystalline compound
2 : a container for salt at table ― often used in the phrases above the salt and below the salt alluding to the former custom of seating persons of higher rank above and those of lower rank below a saltcellar placed in the middle of a longitude table
3 a : an ingredient that gives savor, piquancy, or zest : FLAVOR <a people ⋯ full of life, vigor, and the salt of personality ― Clifton Fadiman> b : sharpness of wit : PUNGENCY c : COMMON SENSE d : RESERVE , SKEPTICISM ― usually used in the phrases with a grain of salt and with a pinch of salt e : a dependable steadfast person or group of people ― usually used in the phrase salt of the earth
4 : SAILOR <a tale worthy of an old salt >
5 : KEEP 3 ― usually used in the phrase worth one's salt
– salt · like \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective