salver
pronunciation
How to pronounce salver in British English:
UK [ˈsælvə(r)]
How to pronounce salver in American English:
US [ ˈsælvər]
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- Noun:
- a tray (or large plate) for serving food or drinks; usually made of silver
Word Origin
- salver
- salver: [17] The word salver recalls the ancient practice of paranoid monarchs employing a special servant to taste their food before it was committed to the royal mouth, in case it was poisoned. The Spanish term for this was salva, a derivative of the verb salvar ‘save’, hence ‘make safe, try something out to make sure it is safe’, which in turn was descended from Latin salvāre ‘save’ (source of English save). By extension the Spanish noun came to be used for a tray on which the tested food was presented to the king, and it passed into French as salve. When English adopted it, the ending -er was added, perhaps on the model of platter.=> save
- salver (n.)
- 1660s, "tray," formed in English on the model of platter, etc., from French salve "tray used for presenting objects to the king" (17c.), from Spanish salva "a testing of food or drink" to test for poison (a procedure known as pre-gustation), hence "tray on which food was placed to show it was safe to eat," from salvar "to save, render safe," from Late Latin salvare (see save (v.)).
Example
- 1. A copper salver , plated with silver .
- 2. The x-rayed prayer preyed a gray salver .
- 3. Whenever possible , items that have been dropped , such as spectacles or handkerchiefs , and other small items , should be returned to their owners on a salver .
- 4. The waiter took our salver away .
- 5. Like a salver steelyard , stand of fair , notarization and bright .