valediction
(vælɪˈdɪkʃən)
[ad. L. type *valedictio, noun of action f. vale-dīcere, f. L. valē vale int., and dīcere to say, speak.]
1. The action of bidding or saying farewell (to a person, etc.); an instance of this; a farewell or leave-taking.
| 1614 Donne Lett. li. Wks. 1839 VI. 368 For I must do this as a Valediction to the World, before I take Orders. 1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 3 There [were]..such dear accollado's..at their valediction and parting, as eye scarce ever beheld the like. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 324 After a formal Valediction ashore, the next day we passed the Straits. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 68 [Gustavus III] after the last valediction to the queen and prince, died. 1872 Le Fanu In a Glass Darkly I. 158 They parted with a hurried and melancholy valediction. |
2. An utterance, discourse, etc., made at (or by way of) leave-taking or bidding farewell.
| 1619 Hales Gold. Rem. ii. (1673) 86, I dealt with Mr. Præses concerning a Copy of Mr. Deans Valediction to the Synod. 1641 H. L'Estrange God's Sabbath 73 The Spirit of Comfort (which in his late valediction he promised to send his Apostles). 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. 35 Their last valediction, thrice uttered by the attendants, was also very solemn. 1834 Lytton Pompeii iii. x, He stayed not to hear the valediction or the thanks of the witch. 1863 Q. Rev. July 203 The truly Yankee valediction, ‘I guess we will all go home, and so, good night’. |