ˈsȯltē, -ti, chiefly Brit ˈsäl- adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from salt + -y
1. : of, seasoned with, or containing salt : saline
salty tears
salty butter
small, salty bays — American Guide Series: Maryland
2. : smacking of the sea or nautical life
a salty flavor lent by salvaged anchors … and other old marine gear — American Guide Series: Delaware
3.
a. : engagingly provocative : piquant
the saltiest … autobiography of our time — E.A.Weeks
b. : earthy , racy
salty … talk among men in a livery stable — H.S.Canby
c. : caustic
penetrating and salty in his criticism — August Heckscher
d. : experienced , sophisticated
trying out his … lingo to show us how salty he was — L.M.Uris
4. of a horse : hard to manage : intractable
able to keep a hot seat on a salty bronc — F.B.Gipson