salute

¹

[suh-loot]

verb (used with object)

saluted, saluting 

1. Military.,  to pay respect to or honor by some formal act, as by raising the right hand to the side of the headgear, presenting arms, firing cannon, dipping colors, etc.

2. to address with expressions of goodwill, respect, etc.; greet.

3. to make a bow or other gesture to, as in greeting, farewell, or respect.

4. to express respect or praise for; hail; commend.

   Synonyms: praise, laud, extol, cheer, applaud

verb (used without object)

saluted, saluting 

1. Military.,  to give a salute.

2. to perform a salutation.

noun

1. Military.

   1. the special act of respect paid in saluting.

   2. the position of the hand or rifle in saluting.

      at the salute.

2. an act of saluting; salutation.

3. a gold coin, bearing the image of the Virgin Mary receiving Gabriel's salutation, issued by Charles VI of France and by Henry V and Henry VI of England.

salute

²

[sah-loo-te]

interjection

Italian.

1. (used after a person has sneezed or as a toast.)

salute

/ səˈluːt /

verb

1. (tr) to address or welcome with friendly words or gestures of respect, such as bowing or lifting the hat; greet

2. (tr) to acknowledge with praise or honour

   we salute your gallantry

3. military to pay or receive formal respect, as by presenting arms or raising the right arm

noun

1. the act of saluting

2. a formal military gesture of respect

Other Word Forms

• saluter noun
• unsaluted adjective
• unsaluting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of salute¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb saluten, “to greet courteously or respectfully,” from Latin salūtāre “to greet, hail, or salute,” derivative of salūt- (stem of salūs ) “health”; Middle English noun salu (also salue ), from Old French salu, salus, saluz, from Latin, salūs

Origin of salute²

Literally, “health”

Word History and Origins

Origin of salute¹

C14: from Latin salūtāre to greet, from salūs wellbeing

Example Sentences

Passing cars honked in salute, with one passenger rolling down her window and shouting, “The kidnapped are returning!”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some said these resembled a Nazi salute—a claim he has ridiculed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The 79-year-old was introduced to fans over the public address system and pumped his fists in acknowledgement before saluting during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner as military jets flew over.

Read more on BBC

On this waning Friday, the group is saluting one of its number, soon to be moving to Northern California.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the 1980s and 1990s, skinheads converged on Main Street throwing Nazi salutes and intimidating people of color.

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Related Words

• acknowledge 
• bow 
• congratulate 
• hail 
• recognize 
• welcome