SALUTATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does salutation mean? 

• SALUTATION (noun)
  The noun SALUTATION has 3 senses:

1. an act of honor or courteous recognition

2. (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

3. word of greeting used to begin a letter

  Familiarity information: SALUTATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SALUTATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An act of honor or courteous recognition

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

salutation; salute

Context example:

a musical salute to the composer on his birthday

Hypernyms ("salutation" is a kind of...):

credit; recognition (approval)

Derivation:

salute (honor with a military ceremony, as when honoring dead soldiers)

salute (propose a toast to)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

greeting; salutation

Hypernyms ("salutation" is a kind of...):

acknowledgement; acknowledgment (a statement acknowledging something or someone)

Domain usage:

plural; plural form (the form of a word that is used to denote more than one)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "salutation"):

well-wishing (an expression of good will from one person to another)

compliments; regard; wish ((usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare)

reception; response (the manner in which something is greeted)

hail (enthusiastic greeting)

kiss of peace; pax ((Roman Catholic Church) a greeting signifying Christian love for those assisting at the Eucharist)

welcome (a greeting or reception)

salute (an act of greeting with friendly words and gestures like bowing or lifting the hat)

hello; hi; how-do-you-do; howdy; hullo (an expression of greeting)

good morning; morning; afternoon; good afternoon (a conventional expression of greeting or farewell)

military greeting; salute (a formal military gesture of respect)

calling card; card; visiting card (a printed or written greeting that is left to indicate that you have visited)

Derivation:

salute (greet in a friendly way)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Word of greeting used to begin a letter

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("salutation" is a kind of...):

opening (the initial part of the introduction)

Derivation:

salute (greet in a friendly way)

 Context examples 

“Well, Mr. and Mrs. Micawber,” was my aunt's first salutation after we were seated.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I forgot it." And Jo took heart again, for that salutation could not be called lover-like.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious, made no other reply to Elizabeth's salutation than a slight inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Alleyne stooped and kissed her, for the kiss was the common salutation of the age, and, as Erasmus long afterwards remarked, more used in England than in any other country.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Much wind," the Indian remarked by way of salutation. "All well? Very well?"

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Having answered the Count's salutation, I turned to the glass again to see how I had been mistaken.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“May God damn your soul to hell, Wolf Larsen, only hell’s too good for you, you coward, you murderer, you pig!” was his opening salutation.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“Miss Price all alone” and “My dear Fanny, how comes this?” were the first salutations.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Whenever I went out, I heard on all sides cordial salutations, and was welcomed with friendly smiles.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

But the fresh air and bright sun seldom failed to restore me to some degree of composure, and on my return I met the salutations of my friends with a readier smile and a more cheerful heart.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)