Literary notes about savory (AI summary)
The term savory in literature functions both as an indicator of richly appealing taste and as a vehicle for evoking sensory pleasure. In narrative contexts, it describes the enticing, mouth-watering aroma of a hearty meal—as when meat exudes a life-giving, savory odor [1] or when bacon and frying foods perfume the air with a welcoming warmth [2]. Its culinary application ranges from the detailed instructions of ancient cookery in Roman texts [3] to the sumptuous portrayals of banquets in classic novels, where it connotes both robust flavor and the art of dining [4], [5]. Beyond food, savory is also employed metaphorically to suggest a pleasing, enriching quality, enhancing the narrative ambience with its dual focus on taste and temperament [6], [7].
- the old man grunted, with an air of disgust, for there came to his nose a strong human scent mingled with the savory odor of the life-giving meat.
— from Red Hunters and the Animal People by Charles Alexander Eastman - Outside the shanties small fires were blazing from which came the savory odor of frying bacon and boiling coffee.
— from The River Motor Boat Boys on the Yukon: The Lost Mine of Rainbow Bend by Harry Gordon - [1] PUT IN THE MORTAR ASPARAGUS TIPS [2] CRUSH PEPPER, LOVAGE, GREEN CORIANDER, SAVORY AND ONIONS; CRUSH, DILUTE WITH WINE, BROTH AND OIL.
— from Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome by Apicius - Of the two soups he chose turtle with savory patties and went on to the game without omitting a single dish or one of the wines.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - Ah, that is beautiful, wonderful, savory,—a feast for gods and angels!
— from A Man: His Mark. A Romance Second Edition by W. C. Morrow - “The consciousness of having spent the other hours well is a just and savory condiment for the table.”
— from Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo - V. be savory &c. adj.; tickle the palate, tickle the appetite; flatter the palate.
— from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget
