salutatorian U.S.
(səˌljuːtəˈtɔərɪən)
[f. next + -an.]
In American schools and colleges the student who delivers the ‘salutatory’ oration at the annual commencement day exercises.
| 1847 in Webster. 1887 Harper's Mag. Sept. 636 The graduating class were the heroes of the hour. The valedictorian, the salutatorian, the philosophical orator, walked on air. 1943 Lafayette Alumnus (Lafayette Coll., Easton, Pa.) Nov. 1/1 Lloyd Felmly..was salutatorian of his class. 1977 Transatlantic Rev. lx. 130 Elwood was valedictorian; I was salutatorian. |