sal·tant I. \ˈsaltənt, ˈsȯl-, -ltənt\adjective Etymology: Latin saltant-, saltans, present participle of saltare to jump, leap, dance, from saltus, past participle of salire to jump, leap — more at sally : dancing, leaping II. noun (-s) : a mutant individual or strain; especially: one produced in a fungal or bacterial culture