salute

 
Pronunciation: /səˈl(j)uːt/

noun

  • a gesture of respect or polite recognition, especially one made to or by a person when arriving or departing: he raises his arms in a triumphant salute
  • a prescribed movement, typically a raising of a hand to the head, made by a member of a military or similar force as a formal sign of respect or recognition: he stood to attention but did not return the salute he acknowledged the salute of the policeman on duty the public were taunted with Nazi salutes
  • [often with modifier] the discharge of a gun or guns as a formal or ceremonial sign of respect or celebration: a twenty-one-gun salute
  • Fencing the formal performance of certain guards or other movements by fencers before engaging.

verb

[with object]
  • make a formal salute to: don’t you usually salute a superior officer? [no object]: he clicked his heels and saluted
  • greet: he saluted her with a smile
  • show or express admiration and respect for: we salute a truly great photographer

Phrases

salute the judge

Australian informal (of a horse) win a race.

take the salute

(of a senior officer in the armed forces or other person of importance) acknowledge formally a salute given by a body of troops marching past: the salute was taken by the Mayor

Derivatives

saluter

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin salutare 'greet, pay one's respects to', from salus, salut- 'health, welfare, greeting'; the noun partly from Old French salut