ave

ave

Ave, Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A greeting or salutation: "ave" refers to a word used as a greeting, both when meeting someone and when bidding farewell. It can also be used as a formal or poetic expression of welcome or goodbye.
    • A prayer to the Virgin Mary: In religious contexts, "Ave" (often capitalized) is a shortened form of Ave Maria (Hail Mary), a prayer in the Catholic tradition addressed to the Virgin Mary.

  2. Interjection:

    • Used as a greeting or farewell: "Ave" is an interjection meaning "hail!" or "farewell!" It is used to express salutation, often in formal, historical, or poetic settings.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • He gave a warm ave to his departing guests. (A greeting or farewell.)
    • She recited an Ave before bed. (A religious prayer, specifically the Ave Maria.)

  • Interjection:

    • Ave, Caesar! (Hail, Caesar! — a historical Roman salutation.)
    • Ave, my friends, until we meet again. (A poetic farewell.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Ave atque vale": A Latin phrase meaning "hail and farewell," used as a final salute or goodbye, especially in literary contexts.

    • The poet wrote "ave atque vale" in his final letter. (A formal and poignant farewell.)

  • "Ave Maria": A specific Catholic prayer, also known as the Hail Mary, invoking the Virgin Mary.

    • The choir sang a beautiful Ave Maria during the service. (The prayer set to music.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Ave Maria (n): The full name of the prayer, meaning "Hail Mary" in Latin.

    • She prayed the Ave Maria daily. (The full prayer.)

  • Ave atque vale (phrase): A Latin phrase used to express both greeting and farewell.

    • The inscription read "ave atque vale" on the tombstone. (A final tribute.)
Synonyms
  • Greeting: a word or gesture of welcome or salutation.
  • Salutation: a formal expression of greeting or respect.
  • Farewell: an expression of good wishes at parting.
Related Idioms

  • Ave atque vale: Used to express a final goodbye, often in a solemn or poetic manner.

    • As the ship sailed away, he whispered "ave atque vale." (A final farewell.)

  • Hail and farewell: An English equivalent of ave atque vale, used to greet and say goodbye in one phrase.

    • The general gave a speech of hail and farewell to the troops. (A combined greeting and farewell.)