saline
UK: ˈseɪlaɪn | US: ˈseɪliːn
adj. containing or resembling salt
n. a salt solution, especially one used in medicine
saline = sal<salt> + ine<adjective suffix>
- sal: From Latin sal (salt), referring to the chemical compound or its properties.
- ine: A suffix forming adjectives, often indicating "of or pertaining to" (e.g., marine, divine).
Etymology Origin:
The word saline traces back to Latin salinus (of salt), derived from sal (salt). It entered English via Old French salin in the 15th century, retaining its core meaning related to salt. The suffix -ine reinforces its adjectival function, commonly used in scientific and medical contexts to describe solutions or substances containing salt.
The doctor prescribed a saline solution to hydrate the patient.
The lake's saline water makes it unsuitable for drinking.
Saline soils are common in arid regions.
She rinsed her contact lenses with saline before wearing them.
The taste of the soup was slightly saline due to the added sea salt.