salute

¹

[sah-loo-te]

interjection

Italian.

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

salute

²

[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

/ 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

Literally, “health”

Origin of salute²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of salute¹

C14: from Latin salūtāre to greet, from salūs wellbeing

Example Sentences

Lastly, the haunting 2½-minute “Elegie” salutes Jimi Hendrix and is delivered in three verses: “There must be something I can dream tonight / The air is filled with the moves of you.”

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The film was shot in Estonia, but plays like a salute to the beauty of the Baltic coast.

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Alexander saluted so crisply it nearly knocked the soup bowl off his head.

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Simon saluted as if he were already on his way.

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I will never forget the sight of his toddler, John-John, saluting his father’s casket.

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Related Words

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