Main Entry: ¹sa·line

Pronunciation: \ˈsā-ˌlēn, -ˌlīn\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French salin, from Latin salinus, from sal salt — more at salt

Date: 15th century

1 : consisting of or containing salt <a saline solution>
2 : of, relating to, or resembling salt : salty <a saline taste>
3 : consisting of or relating to the salts of the alkali metals or of magnesium <a saline cathartic>

— sa·lin·i·ty \sā-ˈli-nə-tē, sə-\ noun