salver
UK[ˈsælvə]US[ˈsælvər]
n
a flat plate, typically made of silver or gold, on which food or drink is formally presented.
n
a tray used for serving food or drinks.
Morpheme Breakdown
salv
er
salv
save
er
agent/instrument suffix
Etymology
the word 'salver' entered english in the 17th century from spanish 'salva', a tasting of food to detect poison, which itself derives from the verb 'salvar', meaning 'to save'. this spanish term originates from late latin 'salvare', 'to save', from latin 'salvus', 'safe'. the connection to the modern object is historical: a 'salver' was originally a tray on which a taster would present food to a ruler to be tested for safety. thus, the literal sense of 'saving' or 'making safe' evolved into the name for the instrument used in that protective ceremony, eventually generalizing to any elegant serving tray.
Analysis
Structure: salv (save) + er (agent/instrument suffix)
salv from latin 'salvus' meaning 'safe, healthy'. er from old english '-ere', an agent or instrument suffix.
Examples
the butler carried the champagne glasses into the room on a silver salver.
the antique salver was engraved with the family crest.
she received the official letter presented on a polished wooden salver.