Around the door are generally to be seen, laughing and gossiping,
clusters of old salts.
Hawthorne.
6. (Chem.) The neutral compound formed by the union of an acid and a
base; thus, sulphuric acid and iron form the salt sulphate of iron or
green vitriol.
Except in case of ammonium salts, accurately speaking, it is the acid
radical which unites with the base or basic radical, with the
elimination of hydrogen, of water, or of analogous compounds as side
products. In the case of diacid and triacid bases, and of dibasic and
tribasic acids, the mutual neutralization may vary in degree, producing
respectively basic, neutral, or acid salts. See Phrases below.
7. Fig.: That which preserves from corruption or error; that which
purifies; a corrective; an antiseptic; also, an allowance or deduction;
as, his statements must be taken with a grain of salt.
Ye are the salt of the earth.
Matt. v. 13.
8. pl. Any mineral salt used as an aperient or cathartic, especially
Epsom salts, Rochelle salt, or Glauber's salt.