salvo

noun, plural sal·vos, sal·voes.

1. a simultaneous or successive discharge of artillery, bombs, etc.
2. a round of fire given as a salute.
3. a round of cheers or applause.

noun, plural sal·vos. Archaic.

1. an excuse or quibbling evasion.
2. something to save a person’s reputation or soothe a person’s feelings.

noun plural -vos or -voes

1. a discharge of fire from weapons in unison, esp on a ceremonial occasion
2. concentrated fire from many weapons, as in a naval battle
3. an outburst, as of applause

noun plural -vos rare

1. an excuse or evasion
2. an expedient to save a reputation or soothe hurt feelings
3. (in legal documents) a saving clause; reservation

noun plural -vos

1. Australian slang a member of the Salvation Army

n.1719, alteration of salva (1590s) “simultaneous discharge of guns,” from Italian salva “salute, volley” (cf. French salve, 16c., from Italian), from Latin salve “hail!,” literally “be in good health!,” the usual Roman greeting, regarded as imperative of salvere “to be in good health,” but properly vocative of salvus “healthy” (see safe (adj.)). The notion is of important visitors greeted with a volley of gunfire into the air; applied afterward to any concentrated fire from guns.