a. [ L. saliens, -entis, p. pr. of salire to leap; cf. F. saillant. See Sally, n. & v. i.. ] 1. Moving by leaps or springs; leaping; bounding; jumping. “Frogs and salient animals.” Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Shooting out or up; springing; projecting. [ 1913 Webster ] He had in himself a salient, living spring of generous and manly action. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Hence, figuratively, forcing itself on the attention; prominent; conspicuous; noticeable. [ 1913 Webster ] He [ Grenville ] had neither salient traits, nor general comprehensiveness of mind. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Math. & Fort.) Projecting outwardly; as, a salient angle; -- opposed to reentering. See Illust. of Bastion. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Her.) Represented in a leaping position; as, a lion salient. [ 1913 Webster ]
Salient angle. See Salient, a., 4. --
Salient polygon (Geom.), a polygon all of whose angles are salient. --
Salient polyhedron (Geom.), a polyhedron all of whose solid angles are salient. [ 1913 Webster ]
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