salutation

A greeting, salute, or address; a hello.

Noun

  1. A greeting, salute, or address; a hello.

    1. A conventional greeting that begins a letter, such as "Dear Sir".

  2. The act of greeting.
    • Welcome, we²l'ku²m. a. Received with gladneſs, admitted willingly, grateful[…] Welcome, we²l'ku²m. interj. A form of ſalutation uſed to a new comer. - 1791, John Walker, A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary […] , London:...
  3. Quickening; excitement.

Origin

From Middle English salutacioun, from Old French salutacion, from Latin salutatio (“a greeting, a wishing health to”), from saluto (“wish one’s health, greet”), from salus (“well-being”). Compare the Latin greeting salve (literally “be well”).

Forms

salutations

Related

salutatorian salutatory valediction

Derived

angelic salutation salutational salutationless