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Salient Definition – Meaning and Usage In A Sentence

Salient Definition – Meaning and Usage In A Sentence

We might want to describe an object or behavior at times but lack the right word to do so. For instance, do you want to say something that stands out or protrudes outward? The correct term you’re looking for is salient; so, what is the true salient definition and meaning?

Salient means attracting or worth of notice due to being conspicuous. Salient can also be defined as sticking out or protruding beyond a line. Salient also means notable, striking, jutting, or remarkable. Use the word in sentences that show “outstanding behavior.” 

To understand using any word, you need to know much more than its definition. This article analyzes what salient means, its history, and how to use it in our day-to-day writing and conversations to help you learn. Are you ready? Great! Let’s go!

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What Is The Definition Of Salient?

According to the Oxford dictionary, we can define salient as standing out, most noticeable or essential. It also refers to a military position that projects into an enemy position. Jetting upward is another definition of salient.

You can use the word salient to describe someone or an object with noticeable features. For instance, if a building has salient features, it simply means it has striking features. You can also use salient to describe the outstanding points of an essay, novel, or movie.

Another definition of the word silent is to move by leaps or jumps. For example, a rabbit is a salient animal. It also refers to an object that projects upward or outwards from its surroundings: whether it’s a ball or any other elastic object.

Do you know that “Salient” exists in different forms? Well, these forms are nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. You need to also use them right in sentences to give the best meaning of your context.

  • Salient (Noun)

As a noun, salient describes something sticking out from its natural surroundings. For example, a rhino’s horn is a salient feature. That means the horn positions itself in a unique position away from what most people expect.

  • Salient (Adjective)

Salient as an adjective refers to something prominent or strikingly noticeable. It is mainly used in architecture, surveying, or military applications. For instance, a building might showcase salient characteristics.

As an adjective, it is also used to describe a person’s character. For example, in a sentence, you can say: ‘Messi has salient soccer skills.’ In this case, it means that Messi’s soccer skills are unique and remarkable.

  • Saliently (Adverb)

As an adverb, the word describes a leaping or jumping action. For instance, we can say a kangaroo jumped saliently. It can also tell something conspicuous or prominent about someone or something.

What Is The Meaning Of Salient?

The term salient has various meanings. Its most common meaning is very noticeable or prominent; it stands out or is significantly remarkable. The word also has different applications in various fields.

Its most common meaning is about something that is protruding outward or upward. For example, if something sticks out of the ground, we can say that it is a salient feature. The term also describes a jetting upward action such as water from a fountain.

You can also use salient to describe a leaping or spring-like action. If you’d like to express an object’s most notable feature, the word salient will be best suited. Additionally, use “salient” to talk about someone’s remarkable qualities.

Salient Meaning in Different Fields

As mentioned earlier, salient has different meanings in various fields. The term is commonly used in architecture to discuss a building’s features that make it stand out or are worth noticing. For instance, we can say that the house’s salient feature is the living room chandelier. This means that the chandelier is the most noteworthy part of the house.

Salient can also be used in surveying to describe a section of land that juts out to form an angle. Also, use the word to convey an upward land feature. An example is when we talk about a salient hill to describe an upward-looking feature in plain land.

The word also has a military application to describe a battlefield feature projecting towards an enemy position. In heraldry, the term describes the action of an animal standing on its hind legs and leaping forward. An example is the leaping of rabbits.

How to Use Salient in a Sentence?

The word salient can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb in sentences. When used in the three forms, it brings out different meanings. However, you must be careful to use the word correctly.

As a noun, salient describes the state of perpetual prominence. It represents something or someone who stands out compared to their environment. For instance, in a sentence: ‘He showed us all the salient features of the apartment.’ It tells us that the apartment had features that stood out.

As an adjective, the word describes something remarkable, prominent, or outstanding. You can use it in a sentence when describing something that attracts attention, is extraordinary or exceptional. For example, in the sentence’ Some of the salient features of depression are angry outbursts, insomnia, and loss of interest in activities.’ We understand that the symptoms we have listed are the most noticeable.

When used as an adverb, “salient” describes how something or qualities stand out. An example is:’ the place where the treasure was buried had been saliently marked.’ This sentence means that the area they buried the treasure was conspicuous enough to attract attention.

There are also combinations of the word “salient” to specify what it pertains to such as:

  • Salient points
  • Saleint angles
  • Salient traits
    backpack arrived university

10 Examples of Salient in a Sentence

Now that you understand the “salient” definition and meaning and how to use it in a sentence, we’d like to give examples of how salient is used. The word will appear in its noun, adjective, and adverb form. Here are ten sentences that have used the word salient.

  1. The lawyer had some very salient arguments that did not favor the defendant.
  2. The geyser, which is usually salient, has remained dormant for the better part of the week.
  3. We suspected that he was critically ill from the scars on his body, pale skin, and a salient body change.
  4. The police came to question the doorman, but he was saliently missing, an odd thing since we’ve never seen him leave his post.
  5. Our lecturer did not want us to rewrite the whole assignment but only the salient issues researched.
  6. Some salient characteristics of a person taking drugs are lack of energy, drastic changes in physical appearance, and lack of interest in hobbies.
  7. From the information gathered, we can authoritatively conclude a salient difference in performance between the two cars from the information gathered.
  8. They searched everywhere but did not find the queen’s jewels which had saliently vanished several minutes before.
  9. The Germans were prepared to retreat out of the salient back to their base to strategize.
  10. The real estate agent showed the couple all the salient features of the house.

The term is spelled as it is pronounced. That is, “s-a-l-i-e-n-t” Salient is an easy word to spell because there are no silent letters. 

How Do You Pronounce Salient?

The British accent is ‘say-lee-yuhnt’ whereas the American version is ‘say-lee-uhnt.’ There are two main pronunciations of the word salient; British and American. 

Knowing how to pronounce words correctly is one of the most challenging parts of learning English. It is essential to learn how to pronounce words correctly. If you’re having difficulties pronouncing words like “salient,” it would be a good idea to keep practicing until you get it right.

Salient Synonym

  • Pertinent
  • Arresting
  • Notable

Salient Antonym

  • Insignificant
  • Unimportant
  • Unnoticeable

How Many Syllables Are In Salient?

The word salient has three syllables sa-li-ent. It is a seven-letter word with three vowels in the entire word that create three syllables.

History & Etymology of Salient

According to the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary, the first known use of the word salient was in the 17th century, specifically in 1646. The term originates from the Latin word sailentem, meaning to leap. 

The etymology of the term “salient” traces the word’s origin from the Latin phrase “salire.” It was first used as a heraldic term that referred to animals that leap, such as rabbits. Despite the word still having this meaning, it is currently used to describe something protruding or noteworthy.

When Was Salient First Used?

Salient first came into use in the mid-17th century as an English term. 

However, it was used as a Latin word “salire,” meaning leap forth. As noted above, it was later adopted in the English language and changed its meaning to conspicuous or strikingly noteworthy. However, the salient first definition is still in use today.

Conclusion

Learning what certain words mean and how to use them in sentences and conversations is crucial if you want to master English. We hope this article has helped you know what salient means and how to use it in different forms.

The best way to fully understand its use is to practice your day-to-day writing and conversations. Whether it’s learning new words or helping with your studies, you can count on us to help you make your English studies easier.