Word: savour Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English savour, from Anglo-Norman saveur, savor, savour, and Old French saveur, savor, savour (modern French saveur), from Latin sapor, from sapiō (“to taste of (something); to have a flavour”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *seh₁p-, *sep- (“to taste; to try out”)) + -or (suffix forming third-declension masculine abstract nouns). Doublet of sapor. Pronunciation: /ˈseɪvə/, /ˈseɪvəɹ/ 1. An aroma or smell. Labels: UK, countable Example: And Noe [Noah] made an aulter vnto the LORDE⸝ and toke of all maner of clene beaſtes and all maner of clene foules⸝ and offred ſacrifyce vppon the aulter. And the LORDE ſmellyd a ſwete ſavoure and ſayd in his hert: I wyll henceforth no more curſe the erth for mannes ſake⸝ […] Example: Matr[euis]. Gurney, I vvonder the king dies not, / Being in a vault vp to the knees in vvater, / To vvhich the channels of the caſtell runne, / […] / Gurn[ey]. And ſo do I, Matreuis: yeſternight / I opened but the doore to throvv him meate, / And I vvas almoſt ſtifeled vvith the ſauor. 2. The quality which the sense of taste detects; also (countable), a specific flavour or taste, especially one different from the predominant one. Labels: UK, uncountable Example: [B]y our Sences which conceiue al Colours, Sounds, Sents, Sauors, and Féelings; wée may ſee, heare, ſmell, taſt, and feele, that one ſelfſame workman made both the Sences, and the things that are ſubiect to the Sences. Example: Cyders differ one from another eſpecially in colour and ſauour or reliſh. 3. The quality which the sense of taste detects; also (countable), a specific flavour or taste, especially one different from the predominant one. Labels: UK, countable Example: Ye are the ſalte of the earth: but if the ſalte haue loſt his ſauour, vvherevvith ſhal it be ſalted? It is thenceforthe good for nothing, but to be caſt out, & to be troden vnder fote of men. Example: His houſe is as empty of Religion, as the vvhite of an Egg is of ſavour. 4. A distinctive sensation like a flavour or taste, or an aroma or smell. Labels: UK, countable, figuratively Example: [W]hy is not my life a continual Joy? and the ſavor of Heaven perpetually upon my ſpirit? 5. A particular quality, especially a small amount of it; a hint or trace of something. Labels: UK, countable, figuratively Example: Come ſir, this admiration is much of the ſauour of other your nevv prankes, I doe beſeech you vnderſtand my purpoſes aright, […] 6. A quality which is appealing or enjoyable; merit, value. Labels: UK, countable, figuratively 7. A reputation. Labels: UK, archaic, countable, figuratively Example: The LORDE loke vpon you, ⁊ iudge it, for ye haue made the ſauoure of vs to ſtynke before Pharao and his ſeruauntes, and haue geuen them a ſwerde in their handes, to ſlaye vs. Example: VVe left Arnulphus [i.e., Arnulf of Chocques] the laſt Patriarch of Jeruſalem; ſince vvhich time the bad ſavour of his life came to the Popes noſe, vvho ſent a Legate to depoſe him. 8. Enjoyment or taste for something; appreciation; pleasure; relish; (countable) an instance of this. Labels: UK, figuratively, uncountable Example: Gerald shook his head in the savour of triumph. 9. Knowledge; understanding. Labels: UK, figuratively, obsolete, uncountable Example: [M]any of them were wery of theyr life, beyng very deſyrous of him [Jesus], of whom they had a certeyne ſauour and vnderſtandyng (ſimple though it wer:) who ſodenly ſhould renewe all kynde of men, and theyr ſynnes clerely abolyſhed, bryng them vnto the kyngdõ of righteouſneſſe. Example: But as I can ſee no merit, / Leading to this favour: / So the vvay to fit me for it, / Is beyond my ſavour.