ˈsalə̇d noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English selad, salade, from Middle French salade, from Old Provençal salada, from feminine of salat, past participle of salar to salt, from sal salt, from Latin — more at salt
1.
a. : a cooked or uncooked food prepared with a savory or piquant dressing and usually served cold: as
(1) : green usually raw vegetables or herbs (as lettuce, endive, romaine) to which tomato, cucumber, or radish is often added and which are served with dressing
(2) : meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, fruits or vegetables singly or in combination that are sliced, cut in pieces, shredded, or minced, are often set in a mold with gelatin, and are served cold with a dressing
b. South & Midland : cooked greens (as poke or turnip tops) seasoned during or after cooking
2. : a green vegetable or herb grown for salad ; especially : lettuce
3. : an incongruous mixture : hodgepodge
its incredible salad of verbless sentences, historic presents, twisted quotations — Kingsley Amis