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sa·li·ent

(sālē-ənt, sālyənt)

adj.

1. Noteworthy; important: the salient points of the argument.

2. Prominent; conspicuous. See Synonyms at noticeable.

3. Projecting or jutting beyond a line or surface; protruding: the salient angles of the polygon.

4. Springing; jumping: salient tree toads.

1. A military position that projects into the position of the enemy.

2. A projecting angle or part.

[Latin saliēns, salient-, present participle of salīre, to leap; see sel- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

sali·ent·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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