savour

plural savours · alternative savor

1. UKcountableAn aroma or smell.

   [M]ethought I smelled the agreeable savour of roast beef; […]

   1710 March 31 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Richard Steele et al.], “Monday, March 21, 1709–10”, in The Tatler, number 148; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume II, London: I. Walker and Co.; […], 1822, →OCLC, page 355

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   And Noe [Noah] made an aulter vnto the LORDE⸝ and toke of all maner of clene beaſtes and all maner of clene foules⸝ and offred ſacrifyce vppon the aulter. And the LORDE ſmellyd a ſwete ſavoure and ſayd in his hert: I wyll henceforth no more curſe the erth for mannes ſake⸝ […]

   1530 January 27 (Gregorian calendar), W[illiam] T[yndale], transl., [The Pentateuch] (Tyndale Bible), Malborow [Marburg], Hesse: […] Hans Luft [actually Antwerp: Johan Hoochstraten], →OCLC, Genesis viij:[20], folio x, verso

   Matr[euis]. Gurney, I vvonder the king dies not, / Being in a vault vp to the knees in vvater, / To vvhich the channels of the caſtell runne, / […] / Gurn[ey]. And ſo do I, Matreuis: yeſternight / I opened but the doore to throvv him meate, / And I vvas almoſt ſtifeled vvith the ſauor.

   1594, Christopher Marlow[e], The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England: […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press] for Henry Bell, […], published 1622, →OCLC, [Act V], signature [L3], recto

   Then Melfoil beat, and Honey-ſuckles pound, / VVith theſe alluring Savours ſtrevv the Ground; […]

   1697, Virgil, “The Fourth Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 125, lines 87–88

   He held out to me a bowl of steaming broth, that filled the room with a savour sweeter, ten thousand times, to me than every rose and lily of the world; yet would not let me drink it at a gulp, but made me sip it with a spoon like any baby.

   [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, “In the Vault”, in Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC, pages 62–63

2. UKuncountableThe quality which the sense of taste detects; also (countable), a specific flavour or taste, especially one different from the predominant one.

   Cyders differ one from another eſpecially in colour and ſauour or reliſh.

   1606, Charles Steuens [i.e., Charles Estienne]; John Liebault [i.e., Jean Liébault], “A Brief Discourse of Making of Drinkes of the Iuices of Fruits”, in Richard Surflet, transl., Maison Rustique, or The Countrey Farme: […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield for Iohn Norton and Iohn Bill, →OCLC, book III (The Orchard, or Greene Plot), page 533

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   [B]y our Sences which conceiue al Colours, Sounds, Sents, Sauors, and Féelings; wée may ſee, heare, ſmell, taſt, and feele, that one ſelfſame workman made both the Sences, and the things that are ſubiect to the Sences.

   1587, Philip of Mornay [i.e., Philippe de Mornay], “That there is a God, and that All Men Agree in the Godhead”, in Philip Sidney, Arthur Golding, transl., A Woorke Concerning the Trewnesse of the Christian Religion, […], London: […] [John Charlewood and] George Robinson for Thomas Cadman, […], →OCLC, page 7

   A Table richly ſpred, in regal mode, / VVith diſhes pill'd, and meats of nobleſt ſort / And ſavour, […]

   1671, John Milton, “The Second Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 46, lines 840–842

   Viands of various kinds allure the taſte / Of choiceſt ſort and ſavour; rich repaſt!

   1726, Homer, “Book XV”, in [Alexander Pope], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume IV, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC, page 19, lines 154–155

   [page 848] Taste, gives knowledge of the savors of material things. […] [page 849] The primary facts of knowledge, form, color, sound, weight, savor, odor, etc., can be obtained only by the direct action of material things upon the senses and cannot be taught from books.

   1896 March 16, Charles R[ufus] Skinner, “[Exhibit No. 16: Teachers’ Training Classes.] Regulations for Teachers’ Training Classes.”, in Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, One Hundred and Twentieth Session, volume XVII, number 71, part II, Albany; New York, N.Y.: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co., state printers, published 1897, →OCLC, section XIII (Syllabus), pages 848 and 849

   Little disappointed, then, she turned attention to "Chat of the Social World," gossip which exercised potent fascination upon the girl's intelligence. She devoured with more avidity than she had her food those pretentiously phrased chronicles of the snobocracy—[…]—distilling therefrom an acid envy that robbed her napoleon [a millefeuille pastry] of all its savour.

   1915, Louis Joseph Vance, “Anarchy”, in Nobody, New York, N.Y.: George H[enry] Doran Company, →OCLC, pages 18–19

   1. UKcountableAn appealing or appetizing flavour, especially one which is savoury or strong.

      His houſe is as empty of Religion, as the vvhite of an Egg is of ſavour.

      1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC, page 106

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      Ye are the ſalte of the earth: but if the ſalte haue loſt his ſauour, vvherevvith ſhal it be ſalted? It is thenceforthe good for nothing, but to be caſt out, & to be troden vnder fote of men.

      1560, [William Whittingham et al., transl.], The Bible and Holy Scriptures Conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. […] (the Geneva Bible), Geneva: […] Rouland Hall, →OCLC, S. Matthewe V:13, folio 3, verso, column 2

      "I have thought till now," she said, "that the Tower of Tillietudlem might have been a place of succour to those that are ready to perish, even if they were na sae deserving as they should have been—but I see auld fruit has little savour—our suffering and our services have been of an ancient date."

      1816, Jedadiah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], chapter XIII, in Tales of My Landlord, […], volume II (Old Mortality), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for William Blackwood, […]; London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 338

      [T]he lads felt that when no more tales could be told of the king of Maremma, savour would be gone out of the goatsflesh roasted in the charcoal in the woods, and the wineflask passed round when the last of the long furrows had been turned across the plains.

      1882, Ouida [pseudonym; Maria Louise Ramé], chapter I, in In Maremma […], volume I, London: Chatto & Windus, […], →OCLC, pages 12–13

3. UKcountablefigurativelyA distinctive sensation like a flavour or taste, or an aroma or smell.

   [W]hy is not my life a continual Joy? and the ſavor of Heaven perpetually upon my ſpirit?

   1649, Richard Baxter, “What Affections Must be Acted, and by what Considerations and Obje[c]ts, and in what Order”, in The Saints Everlasting Rest: Or, A Treatise of the Blessed State of the Saints in Their Enjoyment of God in Glory. […], London: […] Rob[ert] White, for Thomas Underhil and Francis Tyton, […], →OCLC, part IV (Containing a Directory for the Getting and Keeping of the Heart in Heaven: […]), section 9, paragraph 5, page 747

4. UKcountablefigurativelyA particular quality, especially a small amount of it; a hint or trace of something.

   Come ſir, this admiration is much of the ſauour of other your nevv prankes, I doe beſeech you vnderſtand my purpoſes aright, […]

   c. 1603–1606 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] His True Chronicle Historie of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Nathaniel Butter, […], published 1608, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], signature D, verso

   Synonyms: tinge

5. UKcountablefigurativelyA quality which is appealing or enjoyable; merit, value.
6. UKarchaiccountablefigurativelyA reputation.

   Then came in hall the messenger of Mark, / A name of evil savour in the land, / The Cornish king.

   1874, Alfred Tennyson, “Gareth and Lynette”, in Idylls of the King (The Works of Alfred Tennyson; V), cabinet edition, London: Henry S. King & Co., […], →OCLC, page 52

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   The LORDE loke vpon you, ⁊ iudge it, for ye haue made the ſauoure of vs to ſtynke before Pharao and his ſeruauntes, and haue geuen them a ſwerde in their handes, to ſlaye vs.

   1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Exodus v:[19], folio xxv, verso, column 2

   VVe left Arnulphus [i.e., Arnulf of Chocques] the laſt Patriarch of Jeruſalem; ſince vvhich time the bad ſavour of his life came to the Popes noſe, vvho ſent a Legate to depoſe him.

   1639, Thomas Fuller, “The Ecclesiasticall Affairs in this Kings Reigne”, in The Historie of the Holy Warre, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck, one of the printers to the Universitie of Cambridge [and sold by John Williams, London], →OCLC, book II, page 64

7. UKfigurativelyuncountableEnjoyment or taste for something; appreciation; pleasure; relish; (countable) an instance of this.

   Gerald shook his head in the savour of triumph.

   2004, Alan Hollinghurst, chapter 5, in The Line of Beauty […], 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN, page 105

8. UKfigurativelyobsoleteuncountableKnowledge; understanding.

   But as I can ſee no merit, / Leading to this favour: / So the vvay to fit me for it, / Is beyond my ſavour.

   [1633], George Herbert, “Dialogue”, in [Nicholas Ferrar], editor, The Temple. Sacred Poems, and Private Ejaculations, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel; and are to be sold by Francis Green, […], →OCLC, page 107

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   [M]any of them were wery of theyr life, beyng very deſyrous of him [Jesus], of whom they had a certeyne ſauour and vnderſtandyng (ſimple though it wer:) who ſodenly ſhould renewe all kynde of men, and theyr ſynnes clerely abolyſhed, bryng them vnto the kyngdõ of righteouſneſſe.

   1549 February 10 (Gregorian calendar; indicated as 1548), Erasmus, “The Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Gospell of Saincte Matthew. The .iii. Chapter.”, in Nicolas Udall [i.e., Nicholas Udall], transl., The First Tome or Volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente, London: […] Edwarde Whitchurche, →OCLC, folio xxix, recto

present singular third person savours · participle present savouring · participle past savoured · past savoured · first person past singular savoured · archaic present second person singular savourest · archaic present second person singular savorest · past second person singular savoured · archaic past second person singular savouredst · archaic past second person singular savoredst · present singular third person savours · archaic present singular third person savoureth · archaic present singular third person savoreth · past singular third person savoured · past plural savoured · past subjunctive savoured

1. UKtransitiveTo detect (a flavour or taste, or food or drink); to taste; specifically, to enjoy or linger on (a flavour or taste, or food and drink); to relish.

   He closed his eyes so he could really savour his dessert.

2. UKtransitiveTo give (food or drink) flavour; to flavour, to season.

   What Flesh is fitting for Man to Eat, / Until our Herbs do savour the Meat?

   1719, Samuel Wilde, “[The Gard’ners Song.] The Second Part.”, in Thomas d’Urfey, compiler, Songs Compleat, Pleasant and Divertive; […], volume IV, London: […] W. Pearson, for J[acob] Tonson, […], published 19th century, →OCLC, page 221

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   [S]alt they had none; the ashes of a species of palm was their substitute, and this could only be used for savouring food, not for curing it.

   1810, Robert Southey, chapter XVIII, in History of Brazil, 1st part, London: […] [William Pople] for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […], →OCLC, pages 616–617

   [S]oups they served of many sorts, seasoned most choicely, / in double helpings, as was due, and divers sorts of fish; / some baked in bread, some broiled on the coals, / some seethed, some in gravy savoured with spices, / and all with condiments so cunning that it caused him delight.

   1975, “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, in J[ohn] R[onald] R[euel] Tolkien, transl., Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo, 1st American edition, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Company, →ISBN, stanza 37, page 47

3. UKarchaictransitiveTo detect (an aroma or smell, especially an appealing one); to smell.

   VViſedome and goodnes, to the vild ſeeme vild, / Filths ſauor but themſelues, vvhat haue you done?

   c. 1603–1606 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] His True Chronicle Historie of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Nathaniel Butter, […], published 1608, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], signature H3, verso

4. UKfigurativelytransitiveTo enjoy (something) deeply or in a lingering manner; to appreciate, to delight in, to relish.

   A journey along the Conwy Valley line is one to savour for aficionados of scenic railways.

   2020 August 26, Andrew Mourant, “Reinforced against Future Flooding”, in Rail, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 58

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   VVhẽ vvickednes vvas ſvvete in his mouthe, & he hid it vnder his tongue, / And ſauoured it, and vvolde not forſake it, but kept it cloſe in his mouth, / Then his meat in his bovvels vvas turned: the gall of aſpes vvas in the middes of hĩ [him].

   1560, [William Whittingham et al., transl.], The Bible and Holy Scriptures Conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. […] (the Geneva Bible), Geneva: […] Rouland Hall, →OCLC, Iob XX:12–14, folio 228, recto, column 2

   [L]et me savor the sweetness of the name of Jesus as Thou [the Virgin Mary] savoredst it in thy heart, for it is just and meet, right and for our salvation, Queen of Heaven, thrice-blessed . . .

   1959, Günter Grass, “No Wonder”, in Ralph Manheim, transl., The Tin Drum, New York, N.Y.: Pantheon Books, →OCLC, page 138

5. UKfigurativelytransitiveTo find (something) appealing; to appreciate, to like.

   Beauteous Penthea […] is novv ſo yoak'd / To a moſt barbarous thraldome, miſery, / Affliction, that [s]he ſauors not humanity.

   c. 1625–1632 (date written), Iohn Ford [i.e., John Ford], The Broken Heart. A Tragedy. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Hugh Beeston, […], published 1633, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, signatures B, verso – B2, recto

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   The man that coueteth gold, conceiueth not goodneſſe, his appetite is of the earth, and thoſe that are earthly minded, ſauour not the things that are of God.

   1584, Thomas Lodge, An Alarum against Usurers. […], London: […] T[homas] Este, for Sampson Clarke, […], →OCLC, folio 19, recto

   Here, ſtalkes me by a proud, and ſpangled ſir, / That lookes three hand-fuls higher then his fore-top; / Sauours himſelfe alone, is onely kind / And louing to himſelfe: […]

   1600 (first performance), Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Cynthias Reuels, or The Fountayne of Selfe-Loue. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC, Act III, scene iiii, page 211

   The man that met thee, is one Worldly-Wiſeman, and rightly is he ſo called; / partly, becauſe he ſavoureth only the / Doctrine of this world […]

   1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC; reprinted in The Pilgrim’s Progress as Originally Published by John Bunyan: Being a Fac-simile Reproduction of the First Edition, London: Elliot Stock […], 1875, →OCLC, page 27

   Synonyms: care for

6. UKarchaicfigurativelytransitiveTo possess (a particular, often negative, quality), especially a small amount of it; to be redolent or suggestive of (something).

   No more be mention'd then of violence / Againſt our ſelves, and vvilful barrenneſs, / That cuts us off from hope, and ſavours onely / Rancor and pride, impatience and deſpite, / Reluctance againſt God and his juſt yoke / Laid on our Necks.

   1674, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], 2nd edition, London: […] S[amuel] Simmons […], →OCLC, page 282

7. UKfigurativelyobsoletetransitiveTo be appealing to (a person, the senses, etc.).
8. UKfigurativelyobsoletetransitiveTo experience, perceive, or understand (something).

   [H]e [Jesus] turned, and ſaid vnto Peter, Get thee behind mee, Satan, thou sart an offence vnto me: for thou ſauoureſt not the things that be of God, but thoſe that be of men.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 16:23, column 1

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   BY novv, perhaps, thou ſauoreſts^([sic – meaning savorest]) ſome Godhead: yeat, is ods. / VVith paſte and preſent times doeſt dreame Pluralitie of Gods. / So did in deed the Monarchies, ſo Miſcreants novv not fevv: / But liſten here vvhat Gods they vvere, and learne them to eſchevv.

   1602, William Warner, “The Thirteenth Booke. Chapter LXXVII.”, in Albions England. A Continued Historie of the Same Kingdome, from the Originals of the First Inhabitants thereof: […], 5th edition, London: […] Edm[und] Bollifant for George Potter, […], →OCLC, page 317

9. UKfigurativelyobsoletetransitiveTo give (something) a particular quality; to imbue with.

   So theſe olde huddles hauing ouercharged their gorges with fancie, accompte all honeſt recreation méere follly,^([sic]) and hauinge taken a ſurfet of delyght, ſéeme now to ſauor it with deſpight.

   [1578], Iohn Lylly [i.e., John Lyly], “Euphues”, in Euphues. The Anatomy of Wyt. […], London: […] [Thomas East] for Gabriell Cawood, […], →OCLC, folio 7, recto

10. UKfigurativelyobsoleteraretransitiveTo give (something) an aroma or smell.
11. UKfigurativelyobsoleteraretransitiveFollowed by out: to detect or find (something).
12. UKfigurativelyobsoletetransitiveuncertainTo have a suspicion of (something).

    Siſter, I ſee you ſauour of my vviles, / Be it as you vvill haue for this once, […]

    1594, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Nash[e], The Tragedie of Dido Queene of Carthage: […], London: […] Widdowe Orwin, for Thomas Woodcocke, […], →OCLC, Act III, signature D2, verso

13. UKarchaicintransitiveOf a thing: to give off a (specified) aroma or smell.

    [I]t [Parthenium] bringeth forth a vvhite floure, ſavouring like an apple, and having a bitter taſt.

    1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “[Book XXI.] Of Parthenium, and the Medicinable Vertues that It hath.”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], 2nd tome, London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC, page 111

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    [T]he ſaffrone bagge that hath bene full of ſaffron, or hath had ſaffron in it, doth euer after ſauoure and ſmel of the ſwete ſaffron that it conteyned: […]

    1548 January 28 (date delivered), Hughe Latemer [i.e., Hugh Latimer], A Notable Sermõ of yͤ Reuerende Father Maister Hughe Latemer, whiche He Preached in yͤ Shrouds at Paules Churche in Londõ, on the .XVIII. Daye of January. 1548, London: […] Jhon Daye, […], and William Seres, […], published 1548, →OCLC, signature A.iiii., recto

    The spilt blood savoured horribly, / Heart-breaking the dumb writhings were, / Unuttered curses filled the air; […]

    1870, William Morris, “January: The Ring Given to Venus”, in The Earthly Paradise: A Poem, part IV, London: F[rederick] S[tartridge] Ellis, […], →OCLC, page 218

14. UKarchaicintransitiveobsoleteOf food or drink: to have a specified (especially appealing) flavour or taste.

    We will go to the hall, and partake of the food which I ween steameth up and savoreth well of marjoram and thyme.

    1856, Catius Junior [pseudonym; Elizabeth R. Torrey], “Discourse Interrupted by Phelim, a Jester”, in Theognis: A Lamp in the Cavern of Evil, Boston, Mass.: Wentworth and Company, →OCLC, page 48

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    And I purpoſed to try, vvhether thoſe [meats] that pleaſed my taſte brought me commoditie or diſcommoditie; and vvhether that Proverb,[…], That vvhich ſavours, is good and nouriſheth, be conſonant to truth. This upon triall I found moſt falſe: […]

    a. 1634 (date written), Lud[ovicus] Cornarus [i.e., Luigi Cornaro], “A Treatise of Temperance and Sobrietie”, in George Herbert, transl., Hygiasticon: Or, The Right Course of Preserving Life and Health unto Extream Old Age: […], London: […] Roger Daniel, printer to the Universitie of Cambridge, published 1634, →OCLC, page 8

15. UKfigurativelyintransitiveTo possess a particular (often negative) quality, especially a small amount of it; to be redolent or suggestive of.

    [S]uch Solicitations from Superiors alvvays ſavour very ſtrongly of Commands.

    1749, Henry Fielding, “The Hospitality of Allworthy; with a Short Sketch of the Characters of Two Brothers, a Doctor, and a Captain, who were Entertained by that Gentleman”, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume I, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book I, page 53

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    Ol[ivia]. […] Fetch Maluolio hither, / And yet alas, novv I remember me, / They ſay poore Gentleman, he's much diſtract. […] Did he vvrite this? / Clo[wn]. I [aye] Madame. / Du[ke Orsino]. This ſauours not much of diſtraction.

    c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 274, column 2

    In ſuch a ſeaſon, vvhen the Idle Humerous vvorld muſt heare of nothing, that either ſauors of Antiquity, or may avvake it to ſeeke after more, then dull and ſlothfull ignorance may eaſily reach vnto: […]

    1612, Michael Drayton, “To the Generall Reader”, in [John Selden], editor, Poly-Olbion. Or A Chorographicall Description of Tracts, Riuers, Mountaines, Forests, and Other Parts of this Renowned Isle of Great Britaine, […], London: […] [Humphrey Lownes] for M[athew] Lownes; I[ohn] Browne; I[ohn] Helme; I[ohn] Busbie, →OCLC, signature A, recto

    In general I vvill only ſay, that I have vvritten nothing vvhich ſavours of Immorality or Profaneneſs; at leaſt, I am not conſcious to my ſelf of any ſuch Intention.

    1700, [John] Dryden, “Preface”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, signature [A2], recto

    But, notwithstanding I have rejected every thing that savours of party, every thing that is loose and immoral, and every thing that might create uneasiness in the minds of particular persons, I find that the demand of my papers has increased every month since their first appearance in the world.

    1712 January 10 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “SUNDAY, December 31, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 262; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume III, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 304

    Be gone, thou impudent VVretch, to Hell, thy proper Place: thou art a Deſpiſer of my glorious Majeſty, and your Frame of Spirit ſavours of Blaſphemy.

    1750, Joseph Bellamy, “Discourse I. Shewing the Nature of the Divine Law, and wherein Consists a Real Conformity to It.”, in True Religion Delineated; or, Experimental Religion, […], Boston, Mass.: […] S. Kneeland, […], →OCLC, section II (Shewing from what Motives True Love to God Takes Its Rise), pages 53–54

16. UKarchaicfigurativelyintransitiveChiefly followed by a descriptive word like ill or well: to have a specified quality.

    What is loathsome to the young / Savours well to thee and me.

    1842, Alfred Tennyson, “The Vision of Sin”, in Poems. […], volume II, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 222

    1 more example

    Leaping from the tower of Beaurevoir into the ditch and preferring death to falling into the hands of the English, after the Voices had forbidden it.—This was pusillanimity, tending to desperation and suicide; and in saying that God had forgiven it, "thou savorest ill as to human free-will."

    1888, Henry Charles Lea, A History of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages. […], volume III, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC, pages 368–369

17. UKintransitiveobsoleteTo give off a foul smell; to stink.
18. UKfigurativelyintransitiveobsoleteChiefly followed by to, unto, with, etc.: to be appealing.