Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of saying goodbye or departing politely: "Leave-taking" refers to the formal or polite action of taking one's leave, often involving words or gestures of farewell.
   • A farewell or parting: It can denote the event or moment of separation itself.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The ceremony concluded with a solemn leave-taking.
  • Their leave-taking was brief but heartfelt, with a simple wave from the platform.

Advanced Usage

• "A formal leave-taking": A structured or ceremonial goodbye.

  • The ambassador's formal leave-taking involved an exchange of gifts and speeches.

• "To make one's leave-taking": To perform the act of saying farewell.

  • He made his leave-taking quietly, slipping out the back door.

Variants and Related Words

• Leave (verb): To go away from.
• Parting (noun): The action of leaving or separating.
• Farewell (noun/interjection): An act of saying goodbye; a goodbye.

Synonyms

• Farewell
• Parting
• Goodbye
• Adieu (more formal or literary)

Related Phrases

• To take one's leave: A formal phrase meaning to say goodbye and depart.
  • After dinner, the guests took their leave.

Related Idioms

• Parting is such sweet sorrow: A famous idiom from Shakespeare expressing that saying goodbye is painful yet poignant.
  • As they said their goodbyes, she whispered, "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Noun

1. the act of departing politely
   • he disliked long farewells
   • he took his leave
   • parting is such sweet sorrow