Salt — Defs

01 n. The chloride of sodium, a substance used for seasoning food, for the preservation of meat, etc. It is found native in the earth, and is als…

1.
The chloride of sodium, a substance used for seasoning food, for the preservation of meat, etc. It is found native in the earth, and is also produced, by evaporation and crystallization, from sea water and other water impregnated with saline particles.
2.
Hence, flavor; taste; savor; smack; seasoning.
“Though we are justices and doctors and churchmen . . . we have some salt of our youth in us.” — Shak.
3.
Hence, also, piquancy; wit; sense; as, Attic salt.
4.
A dish for salt at table; a saltcellar.
“I out and bought some things; among others, a dozen of silver salts.” — Pepys.
5.
A sailor; -- usually qualified by old.[Colloq.]
“Around the door are generally to be seen, laughing and gossiping, clusters of old salts.” — Hawthorne.
6.
The neutral compound formed by the union of an acid and a base; thus, sulphuric acid and iron form the salt sulphate of iron or green vitriol.(Chem.)
7.
Fig.: That which preserves from corruption or error; that which purifies; a corrective; an antiseptic; also, an allowance or deduction; as, his statements must be taken with a grain of salt.
“Ye are the salt of the earth.” — Matt. v. 13.
8.
Any mineral salt used as an aperient or cathartic, especially Epsom salts, Rochelle salt, or Glauber's salt.
9.
Marshes flooded by the tide.[Prov. Eng.]
“His fashion is not to take knowledge of him that is beneath him in clothes. He never drinks below the salt.” — B. Jonson.

02 a. Of or relating to salt; abounding in, or containing, salt; prepared or preserved with, or tasting of, salt; salted; as, salt beef; salt water.

1.
Of or relating to salt; abounding in, or containing, salt; prepared or preserved with, or tasting of, salt; salted; as, salt beef; salt water.
2.
Overflowed with, or growing in, salt water; as, a salt marsh; salt grass.
3.
Fig.: Bitter; sharp; pungent.
“I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me.” — Shak.
4.
Fig.: Salacious; lecherous; lustful.

03 a.

04 v. t. To sprinkle, impregnate, or season with salt; to preserve with salt or in brine; to supply with salt; as, to salt fish, beef, or pork; to s…

imp. & p. p. Salted; p. pr. & vb. n. Salting

1.
To sprinkle, impregnate, or season with salt; to preserve with salt or in brine; to supply with salt; as, to salt fish, beef, or pork; to salt cattle.
2.
To fill with salt between the timbers and planks, as a ship, for the preservation of the timber.

Phrases & compounds

To salt a mine — to artfully deposit minerals in a mine in order to deceive purchasers regarding its value.

To salt away — to prepare with, or pack in, salt for preserving, as meat, eggs, etc.; hence, colloquially, to save, lay up, or invest sagely, as money.

05 v. i. To deposit salt as a saline solution; as, the brine begins to salt.

1.
To deposit salt as a saline solution; as, the brine begins to salt.

06 n. The act of leaping or jumping; a leap.

1.
The act of leaping or jumping; a leap.[Obs.]