I. ˈsal(ˌ)vō noun
( plural salvos or salvoes )
Etymology: modification of Italian salva, from French salve, from Middle French, from Latin, imperative (used as a greeting) of salvēre to be in good health, from salvus healthy, safe — more at safe
1. : a simultaneous discharge of fire weapons: as
a. : a firing of several pieces of artillery all together either in action for increased effect or with blank charges as a salute
b.
(1) : a simultaneous discharge of two or more guns of the same naval battery at one target
(2) : a series of shots by an artillery battery with each gun firing one round in turn after a prescribed interval
(3) : the projectiles so discharged in their flight
c.
(1) : the release all at one time of a rack of bombs or rockets (as from an airplane)
(2) : the bombs or rockets so released
(3) : several bombs or rockets released simultaneously from each of several airplanes — compare stick 17a, volley 1a
2. : salute , tribute
received salvos of praise from three of the four leading … critics — Janet Flanner
3. : a sudden eruption or explosion (as of laughter, cheers, or handclaps) : burst 2b
laughed heartily, in great salvos — S.E.White
a stirring salvo of applause — Time
4. : a game for two players in which each has a cross-ruled diagram on which he blacks in groups of squares to represent ships with the object of trying to locate and hit an enemy fleet by calling out numbered squares at random — called also battleships
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to release a salvo of
electronic gear … automatically salvos rockets — advt
intransitive verb
: to fire a salvo
the rest of the fleet salvoed steadily into the jungle — Sat. Eve. Post
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, abl. of salvus healthy, safe, intact (as in salvo jure with the right intact, saving the right) — more at safe
1. : a mental reservation : proviso
a salvo for the rights of their order — David Hume †1776
2. archaic : a way out of a difficulty : explanation
we have a salvo for that — Samuel Foote
3. : a means of safeguarding (as one's name or honor) or of quieting or allaying (as the conscience) : salve 2