salute Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an act of honor or courteous recognition
salutation.
- a musical salute to the composer on his birthday
noun a formal military gesture of respect
military greeting.
noun an act of greeting with friendly words and gestures like bowing or lifting the hat
verb propose a toast to
toast; drink; wassail; pledge.
- Let us toast the birthday girl!
- Let's drink to the New Year
verb greet in a friendly way
- I meet this men every day on my way to work and he salutes me
verb express commendation of
- I salute your courage!
verb become noticeable
- a terrible stench saluted our nostrils
verb honor with a military ceremony, as when honoring dead soldiers
verb recognize with a gesture prescribed by a military regulation; assume a prescribed position
present.
- When the officers show up, the soldiers have to salute

L. salutare, salutatum, from salus, -utis, health, safety. See Salubrious.

imperfect & past participle Saluted; present participle & verbal noun Saluting

To adress, as with expressions of kind wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail.
I salute you with this kingly title. Shak.
Hence, to give a sign of good will; to compliment by an act or ceremony, as a kiss, a bow, etc.
You have the prettiest tip of a finger . . . I must take the freedom to salute it. Addison.
(Mil. & Naval) To honor, as some day, person, or nation, by a discharge of cannon or small arms, by dipping colors, by cheers, etc.
To promote the welfare and safety of; to benefit; to gratify. Obs. "If this salute my blood a jot." Shak.

Cf. F. salut. See Salute, v.

The act of saluting, or expressing kind wishes or respect; salutation; greeting.
A sign, token, or ceremony, expressing good will, compliment, or respect, as a kiss, a bow, etc. Tennyson.
(Mil. & Naval) A token of respect or honor for some distinguished or official personage, for a foreign vessel or flag, or for some festival or event, as by presenting arms, by a discharge of cannon, volleys of small arms, dipping the colors or the topsails, etc.