salt

salt ► NOUN 1) (also common salt) sodium chloride, a white crystalline substance which gives seawater its characteristic taste and is used for seasoning or preserving food. 2) Chemistry any compound formed by the reaction of an acid with a base, with the hydrogen of the acid replaced by a metal or equivalent group. 3) (old salt) informal an experienced sailor.

► ADJECTIVE 1) impregnated or treated with salt. 2) (of a plant) growing on the coast or in salt marshes.

► VERB 1) season or preserve with salt. 2) sprinkle (a road or path) with salt in order to melt snow or ice. 3) (salt away) informal put by (money) secretly. 4) make piquant or more interesting.

● rub salt into the wound — Cf. ↑rub salt into the wound

● the salt of the earth — Cf. ↑the salt of the earth

● sit below the salt — Cf. ↑sit below the salt

● take with a pinch (or grain) of salt — Cf. ↑take with a pinch of salt

● worth one's salt — Cf. ↑worth one's salt

DERIVATIVES saltless adjective saltness noun.

ORIGIN Old English.