savor
[ sey-ver ]
noun
the quality in a substance that affects the sense of taste or of smell.
a particular taste or smell.
distinctive quality or property.
power to excite or interest.
Archaic. repute.
verb (used without object)
to have savor, taste, or odor.
to exhibit the peculiar characteristics; smack (often followed by of): His business practices savor of greed.
verb (used with object)
to give a savor to; season; flavor.
to perceive by taste or smell, especially with relish: to savor the garden's odors.
to give oneself to the enjoyment of: to savor the best in life.
Origin of savor
1First recorded in 1175–1225; (noun) Middle English sav(o)ur, from Old French savour, from Latin sapōrem, accusative of sapor “taste,” derivative of sapere “to taste” (cf. sapient); (verb) Middle English sav(o)uren, from Old French savourer, from Late Latin sapōrāre, derivative of sapor
- Also especially British, sa·vour .
synonym study For savor
1. See taste.
usage note For savor
See -or1.
Other words for savor
Other words from savor
- sa·vor·er, noun
- sa·vor·ing·ly, adverb
- sa·vor·less, adjective
- sa·vor·ous, adjective
- outsavor, verb (used with object)
- un·sa·vored, adjective
Words that may be confused with savor
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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