I. səˈlüt, usu -üd.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English saluten, from Latin salutare, from Latin salut-, salus health, safety, greeting — more at safe
transitive verb
1.
a. : to address with expressions of kind wishes, courtesy, or honor
saluted him cheerfully by his name — Charles Dickens
b. archaic : to hail with the title or epithet of
saluted the fathers of their country — John Milton
c. : to appear, come forth, or burst into song as if to welcome
the lark salutes the dawn
the peeping crocus salutes the spring
d. : to become apparent to (one of the senses) : impress itself upon
a moist pungent odor of perfumes saluted his nose — James Joyce
2.
a. : to give a sign of respect, courtesy, or goodwill to
saluted the old man in the doorway — Kay Boyle
b. : to compliment by a customary or conventional act of ceremony
saluted her in the style of the French dancing master — Meridel Le Sueur
c. : to make the sign of formal greeting to (an opponent) in fencing
d. : to bow to (one's partner) in square dancing : honor 4, address 10c
3.
a. : to honor (as a person, nation, or event) by a conventional military or naval act or ceremony
b. : to show respect and recognition to (a military superior) by assuming a position prescribed by drill regulations
c. : to express high approval or commendation of : praise
salute a tradition of leadership — A.E.Stevenson b.1900
intransitive verb
: to make a salute
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English salut, from Middle French, from Latin salut-, salus health, safety, greeting
1. : a speech or gesture expressing welcome, recognition, or courtesy : greeting , salutation
did not return my salute — L.C.Douglas
his morning salute for the tenement mothers — Seamus Brady
2. : an old French or Anglo-Gallic gold coin bearing the figure of the Virgin receiving the angel's salutation
3.
a. : a sign, token, or ceremony (as a kiss or a bow) expressing goodwill, compliment, or respect
took his salute on the cheek
clasped his hands over his head in a prizefighter's salute — Time
participate in salute to selling week — Printers' Ink
b. : the formal greeting of fencers about to engage
4.
a. : a military or naval token of respect or honor (as presenting arms, discharging cannon, or dipping the colors) for a distinguished or official person, for a foreign vessel or flag, or for some festival or event
b. : a mark of respect and recognition given (as with the hand, rifle, or sword) by military personnel in a manner prescribed by regulations and varying according to circumstances
c. : the position (as of the hand, rifle, or sword) or the entire attitude of a person saluting a superior
stand at salute
5. : firecracker 1
a string of one-inch salutes — Time