I. səˈläm, -lȧm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Arabic salām, literally, peace
1.
a. : a salutation or ceremonial greeting in the East
b. salaams plural : compliments
sent my salaams, wondering what on earth I should do with the peacocks — Janet Dunbar
2. : an obeisance performed by bowing very low and placing the right palm on the forehead
made his salaam before the rajah
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to greet or pay homage to with a salaam or ceremonial bow
the attendant opened the door, salaamed him in — J.A.Phillips
intransitive verb
: to perform a salaam
salaamed, curving the fingers of his right hand to his forehead — C.B.Child