saltcellar
pronunciation
How to pronounce saltcellar in British English:
UK ['sɔ:ltˌselə]
How to pronounce saltcellar in American English:
US ['sɔltˌselə]
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- Noun:
- a small container for holding salt at the dining table
Word Origin
- saltcellar
- saltcellar: [15] Saltcellar is a tautology – for etymologically it means ‘saltcellar for salt’. Its second element has no connection with underground rooms. Its spelling merely disguises its origins, which are in Anglo- Norman *saler ‘saltcellar’, a derivative ultimately of Latin sāl ‘salt’. This was adopted into English in the 14th century as saler, later seler, but when its etymological links with salt began to fade from people’s awareness, salt was tacked on to the front to reinforce the meaning, and when they disappeared altogether in the 16th century the spelling became assimilated to that of the similar-sounding cellar.
Example
- 1. In leonardo da vinci 's last supper , where judas has knocked over the saltcellar , the painter was mirroring an old tradition .