salsa
UK[ˈsælsə]US[ˈsɑːlsə]
n
a type of latin american dance music of african and cuban origin, with a lively, syncopated rhythm.
n
a spicy sauce of mexican origin, typically made from tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers.
Etymology
the english word 'salsa' is a direct borrowing from spanish, where it simply means 'sauce'. the spanish term itself derives from the latin 'salsa', the feminine form of 'salsus', meaning 'salted'. this latin root originates from the verb 'salere', 'to salt', which is connected to the noun 'sal', meaning 'salt'. the culinary term was metaphorically extended in the mid-20th century to describe a vibrant, 'spicy' genre of music that emerged from cuban and puerto rican communities, blending african and spanish influences, much like the sauce blends various ingredients.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from spanish, adopted as a simplex unit into english. it is not productively segmented using english morphemes.
Examples
we spent the evening dancing to lively salsa music.
i like to eat tortilla chips with fresh tomato salsa.
the restaurant is famous for its homemade spicy salsa.