adjective / noun
salient
SAY-lee-unt/ˈseɪliənt/
Projecting prominently beyond what surrounds it.
The salient red tulip rises prominently above the shorter cream flowers.
Etymology
The “leaping” image was applied to the embryonic heart in the phrase salient point. The modern sense “prominent, striking” developed from that phrase, giving today's meaning of especially noticeable or important.
In context
we learn about the various salient features of our constitution that is under our indian constitution what are its most important features
More examples
- A salient ridge juts out from the mountainside.
- The troops defend a narrow salient extending into enemy territory.
- The map shows two salients along the front line.
Forms
salient · salients
Similar words
- projecting
- Describes something extending outward, without emphasizing its prominence.
- protruding
- Emphasizes sticking out beyond a surface or boundary.
- projection
- Names any outward extension, not necessarily a military position.