/ ˌsæljuˈteɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C , U ] ( formal ) something that you say to welcome or say hello to sb; the action of welcoming or saying hello to sb
2.
[ C ] ( technical ) the words that are used in a letter to address the person you are writing to, for example 'Dear Sir'
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , or from Latin salutatio(n-) , from salutare pay one's respects to, from salus , salut- health.