salut

n. [ L. salutatio: cf. F. salutation. See Salute. ] The act of saluting, or paying respect or reverence, by the customary words or actions; the act of greeting, or expressing good will or courtesy; also, that which is uttered or done in saluting or greeting. [ 1913 Webster ]

In all public meetings or private addresses, use those forms of salutation, reverence, and decency usual amongst the most sober persons. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Greeting; salute; address. -- Salutation, Greeting, Salute. Greeting is the general word for all manner of expressions of recognition, agreeable or otherwise, made when persons meet or communicate with each other. A greeting may be hearty and loving, chilling and offensive, or merely formal, as in the opening sentence of legal documents. Salutation more definitely implies a wishing well, and is used of expressions at parting as well as at meeting. It is used especially of uttered expressions of good will. Salute, while formerly and sometimes still in the sense of either greeting or salutation, is now used specifically to denote a conventional demonstration not expressed in words. The guests received a greeting which relieved their embarrassment, offered their salutations in well-chosen terms, and when they retired, as when they entered, made a deferential salute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Luke xi. 43. [ 1913 Webster ]

When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. Luke i. 41. [ 1913 Webster ]

I shall not trouble my reader with the first salutes of our three friends. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The student who pronounces the salutatory oration at the annual Commencement or like exercises of a college, -- an honor commonly assigned to that member of the graduating class who ranks second in scholarship. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By way of salutation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. salutatorius. See Salute. ] Containing or expressing salutations; speaking a welcome; greeting; -- applied especially to the oration which introduces the exercises of the Commencements, or similar public exhibitions, in American colleges. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A place for saluting or greeting; a vestibule; a porch. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (American Colleges) The salutatory oration. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. salut. See Salute, v. ] 1. The act of saluting, or expressing kind wishes or respect; salutation; greeting. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sign, token, or ceremony, expressing good will, compliment, or respect, as a kiss, a bow, etc. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mil. & Naval) A token of respect or honor for some distinguished or official personage, for a foreign vessel or flag, or for some festival or event, as by presenting arms, by a discharge of cannon, volleys of small arms, dipping the colors or the topsails, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Saluted; p. pr. & vb. n. Saluting. ] [ L. salutare, salutatum, from salus, -utis, health, safety. See Salubrious. ] 1. To address, as with expressions of kind wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail. [ 1913 Webster ]

I salute you with this kingly title. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, to give a sign of good will; to compliment by an act or ceremony, as a kiss, a bow, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

You have the prettiest tip of a finger . . . I must take the freedom to salute it. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mil. & Naval) To honor, as some day, person, or nation, by a discharge of cannon or small arms, by dipping colors, by cheers, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To promote the welfare and safety of; to benefit; to gratify. [ Obs. ] “If this salute my blood a jot.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who salutes. [ 1913 Webster ]