salmagundi Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
    mixture; smorgasbord; variety; motley; miscellanea; mixed bag; miscellany; assortment; potpourri.
    • a great assortment of cars was on display
    • he had a variety of disorders
    • a veritable smorgasbord of religions
  2. noun cooked meats and eggs and vegetables usually arranged in rows around the plate and dressed with a salad dressing

WordNet

Sal`ma*gun"di noun
Etymology
F. salmigondis of uncertain origin; perhaps from L. salgama condita, pl.; salgama pickles + condita preserved (see Condite); or from the Countess Salmagondi, lady of honor to Maria de Medici, who is said to have invented it; or cf. It. salame salt meat, and F. salmis a ragout.
Definitions
  1. A mixture of chopped meat and pickled herring, with oil, vinegar, pepper, and onions. Johnson.
  2. Hence, a mixture of various ingredients; an olio or medley; a potpourri; a miscellany. W. Irving.

Webster 1913