# saltire

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsæl.taɪə/ · frequency rank #60,441

## Definitions
1. An ordinary (geometric design) in the shape of an X. It usually occupies the entire field in which it is placed.
2. The Saint Andrew's cross, the flag of Scotland.
3. The Saint Patrick's Cross, the pre 1922 flag of Ireland.

## Etymology
From Middle English sawtoure, from Old French sautoir (“stile, saltire”) (compare French sautoir (“saltire”)), from sauter (“to jump, to leap”) + -oir (subject forming nouns denoting physical objects from verbs), from Latin saltāre (“to dance, to jump”) + -orium, -oria.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/saltire