leave-taking

[leev-tey-king]

noun

1. a saying farewell; a parting or goodbye; departure.

   His leave-taking was brief.

leave-taking

noun

1. the act of departing; a farewell

Word History and Origins

Origin of leave-taking¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75

Example Sentences

Cassiopeia, still sad from her tearful leave-taking with Nutsawoo back at Ashton Place, was silent.

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The clip did not directly address his leave-taking from Fox or the reasons for it.

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The book and show proceed with a classical sequence familiar from the “Iliad” — leave-taking, combat, mourning — but the men and women in these pictures are emotionally open, touchingly individual and markedly of their time.

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“She was as radiant and knowledgeable and fascinated about politics as ever I remember,” Mr. Johnson said of their leave-taking.

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To see someone simply disappear feels even worse than if there is a ceremonial leave-taking, sad as that is.

Read more on Washington Post

Related Words

• escape 
• evacuation 
• exit 
• exodus 
• flight 
• passage 
• removal 
• retirement 
• retreat 
• separation 
• takeoff 
• walkout 
• withdrawal