bɑːm bɑm ˈɔɪntm(ə)nt ˈɔɪn(t)m(ə)nt ɹɪˈliːv seɪv ʌŋkʃən ˈʌŋɡwənt apply a salve to, usually for the purpose of healing anything that remedies or heals or soothes he needed a salve for his conscience save from ruin, destruction, or harm semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation