noun , verb
■ noun
/ sælv; NAmE ; NAmE also sæv/ [ U , C ] a substance that you put on a wound or sore skin to help it heal or to protect it
—see also lipsalve
■ verb
/sælv/ [ vn ] salve your conscience ( formal ) to do sth that makes you feel less guilty
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English sealfe (noun), sealfian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zalf and German Salbe .