salver

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a flat tray, often made of silver or another metal, used for formally serving or presenting things

   An attendant carried the jeweled medal into the hall on a silver salver.

Simplified etymology

Salver entered English in the late Middle English period from Spanish salva “the sampling of food,” derived from salvar “make safe” and ultimately from Latin salvus “uninjured, safe.” The tray’s name arose from the practice of placing food on it after a servant had tasted the food to show that it was safe.

Adapted from French salve, from Spanish salva, a tray or a ceremonial tasting of food to detect poison, from salvar, 'to save or make safe.' English salver has denoted a serving or presentation tray since the seventeenth century.

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