/sahl"seuh/ ; Sp. /sahl"sah/ , n.
1. a lively, vigorous type of contemporary Latin American popular music, blending predominantly Cuban rhythms with elements of jazz, rock, and soul music.
2. a ballroom dance of Puerto Rican origin, performed to this music, similar to the mambo, but faster with the accent on the first beat instead of the second beat of each measure.
3. Mexican Cookery. a sauce, esp. a hot sauce containing chilies.
v.i.
4. to dance the salsa.
[ 1970-75; ]