SALT
Salt, n. Etym: [AS. sealt; akin to OS. & OFries. salt, D. zout, G.
salz, Icel., Sw., & Dan. salt, L. sal, Gr. sole, Ir. & Gael. salann,
W. halen, of unknown origin. Cf. Sal, Salad, Salary, Saline, Sauce,
Sausage.]
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. (Chem.)
Defn: The neutral compound formed by the union of an acid base; thus, sulphuric acid and iron form the salt sulphate of iron or green vitriol.
Note: Except in case of ammonium salts, accurately speaking, it is the acid radical which unites with the base or basic radical, with the elimination of hydrogen, of water, or of analogous compounds as side products. In the case of diacid and triacid bases, and of dibasic and tribasic acids, the mutual neutralization may vary in degree, producing respectively basic, neutral, or acid salts See Phrases below.
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.