I. ˈsāv(ə)rē, -ri adjective
Etymology: Middle English savory, savery, savure, from Old French savouré, past participle of savourer to savor — more at savor
1.
a. : agreeable , pleasant
an exceedingly varied and savory travel book — Newsweek
b. : morally attractive : edifying, wholesome
his fallen partner has proved to be none too savory a character — John Paterson
scandals don't make very savory reading — Green Peyton
2.
a. : agreeable to the taste : appetizing
fruit more savory than berries — John Burroughs
b. : pleasing in smell : fragrant
a savory wooden tray … smelling of rich cedarwood and varnish — Elizabeth M. Roberts
c. : having a stimulating taste
a savory dish
savory jelly
Synonyms: see palatable
II. noun
( -es )
Britain : a cooked or uncooked dish of stimulating flavor served usually at the end of dinner but sometimes as an appetizer before the meal
III. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English saverey, probably alteration (influenced by savery, adjective, savory) of Old English sætherie, from Latin satureia
: any of several aromatic mints of the genus Satureia — see summer savory , winter savory