salt

salt · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A white crystalline substance used to season and preserve food.

  2. 2.

    [chemistry]A compound formed by reaction of an acid with a base.

  3. 3.

    [as verb]To season or preserve with salt.

Forms

plural: salts

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    take with a grain of salt — Regard with skepticism.
  • •
    salt of the earth — Good, honest people.
  • •
    rub salt in the wound — Make a bad situation worse.

Related words

See also: pepper, preserve, season
Synonyms: sodium chloride

Etymology

From Old English sealt, from Proto-Germanic saltą.