savor

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to enjoy a taste, smell, experience, or moment slowly and appreciatively

   She paused to savor the first sip of the rich coffee.

2. 2
   noun

   a distinctive taste or smell, especially one that is pleasant or characteristic

   Fresh herbs gave the stew a brighter savor.

3. 3
   noun

   a characteristic quality, trace, or suggestion of something

   The old tale retains the savor of village life.

From Middle English savor, from Anglo-French savur, from Latin sapor ("taste, flavor"), related to sapere ("to taste; to be wise"). The American spelling without u became standard through nineteenth-century spelling reform; British English generally keeps savour.

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