Salve (?; 277), n. [AS. sealf ointment; akin to LG. salwe, D. zalve, zalf, OHG. salba, Dan. salve, Sw. salfva, Goth. salbōn to anoint, and probably to Gr. (Hesychius) � oil, � butter, Skr. sarpis clarified butter. √155, 291.] 1. An adhesive composition or substance to be applied to wounds or sores; a healing ointment. Chaucer.
2. A soothing remedy or antidote.
Counsel or consolation we may bring.
Salve to thy sores. Milton.
Salve bug(Zoöl.), a large, stout isopod crustacean (Æga psora), parasitic on the halibut and codfish, — used by fishermen in the preparation of a salve. It becomes about two inches in length.