salute

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin salūtō (“to greet; to wish health to”), from salūs (“greeting, good health”), related to salvus (“safe”).

noun

1. An utterance or gesture expressing greeting or honor towards someone, (now especially) a formal, non-verbal gesture made with the arms or hands in any of various specific positions.
   The soldiers greeted the dignitaries with a crisp salute.
   The Roman salute, in which the right arm was raised in a straight and perpendicular manner, had been adopted by D'Annunzio during his regency in Fiume. Like other rituals utilized by D'Annunzio, the salute became part of the rising fascist movement's symbolic patrimony and was inherited by Mussolini's government. 1997, Simonetta Falasca-Zamponi, Fascist Spectacle: The Aesthetics of Power in Mussolini's Italy, page 110
   Like lines of perspective or the beams of searchlights at Nazi Party rallies that shone into the night sky where they met in an infinitely distant beyond, the arms and hands of those giving each other the Hitler salute forever approached each other but never joined. 2009, Tilman Allert, The Hitler Salute: On the Meaning of a Gesture, page 46
   And Kaszaat let out a shriek of pure anger, bursting forwards suddenly, flinging her hand up towards Drephos as though in salute. 2010, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Salute the Dark: Shadows of the Apt 4, unnumbered page
2. A kiss, offered in salutation.
   [M]aking an apology which, not suspecting his intention, I did not understand, – he gave me a most ardent salute! I have seldom been more surprised. I had no idea of his taking such a freedom. 1775, Frances Burney, Journals & Letters, Penguin 2001, 8 May
3. (military, nautical) A discharge of cannon or similar arms, as a mark of honour or respect.
4. A pyrotechnic device primarily designed to produce a loud bang.

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To make a gesture in honor of (someone or something).
   They saluted the flag as it passed in the parade.
   1943 June 19, New York Times, quoted in 2000, Terry Eastland, Freedom of Expression in the Supreme Court: The Defining Cases, page 64, Yet the simple fact stands that a school child compelled to salute the flag, when he has been taught the flag is an "image" which the Bible forbids him to worship, is in effect made to say what he does not believe.
   The person who salutes is slavishly obedient, fearful to offend the authorities or other people; the person who declines to salute has integrity and independence. 2000, Eric A. Posner, Law and Social Norms, page 129
2. To act in thanks, honor, or tribute; to thank or extend gratitude; to praise.
   I would like to salute the many dedicated volunteers that make this project possible.
   I salute every preaching and teaching woman with the courage to step out on faith and trust God with her life and her calling. 2000, Stephanie Barber, Reap the Harvest for Your Life, page vii
3. (Ireland, informal) to wave, to acknowledge an acquaintance.
   I saluted Bill at the concert, but he didn't see me through the crowd.
4. To address, as with expressions of kind wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail.
   Then I salute you with this kingly title: / Long live Richard, England's royal king! c. 1592, William Shakespeare, edited by William George Clark and William Aldis Wright, King Richard III, The Works of William Shakespeare edition, published 1867, act 3, scene 7, line 239, page 578
   He was saluted by Mr. James Hall, with these words: “Well, brother chip! How many murders have you been committing?” 1853, Talbot Gwynne, The School for Dreamers: A Story of the Present Day, page 208
5. To promote the welfare and safety of; to benefit; to gratify.
   Would I had no being, / If this salute my blood a jot; it faints me, / To think what follows. 1623, William Shakespeare, edited by Howard Staunton, King Henry the Eighth, The Works of William Shakespeare edition, volume 3, published 1864, act 2, scene 3, page 292
6. (archaic) To kiss.
   'I take the privilege, Mistress Ruth, of saluting you.' ...And therewith I bussed her well. 1869, Richard Blackmore, Lorna Doone, page 1