n. pl. sal·vos or sal·voes 1. a. A simultaneous discharge of firearms. b. The simultaneous release of a rack of bombs from an aircraft. c. The projectiles or bombs thus released. 2. Something resembling a release or discharge of bombs or firearms, as: a. A sudden outburst, as of cheers or praise. b. A forceful verbal or written assault. [Italian salva, from French salve, from Latin salvē, hail, imperative of salvēre, to be in good health, from salvus, safe; see sol- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. pl. sal·vos 1. A mental provision or reservation. 2. An expedient for protecting one's reputation or for soothing one's conscience. [Latin salvō (as in Medieval Latin salvō iūre, saving the right), ablative of salvus, safe; see SAFE.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.