Definition

1. Noun:

   • A gesture of respect or greeting: A formal or friendly act of acknowledgment, often involving a specific bodily movement like raising the hand to the forehead or a bow.
   • A formal military gesture: A prescribed act, such as raising the right hand to the forehead or presenting arms, performed to show respect to a superior officer or a flag.
   • A ceremonial sign of honor: A formal act of recognition, such as firing guns or raising flags, performed to honor a person or an occasion.

2. Verb:

   • To greet or acknowledge with a gesture: To make a formal gesture of respect, especially in a military context.
   • To honor formally: To show respect or honor through a ceremony or formal act.
   • To become noticeable or greet (figuratively): To meet or strike the senses in a way that demands attention.
   • To express praise or commendation: To publicly acknowledge and praise someone's qualities or achievements.
   • To propose a toast: To raise a glass and drink in honor of someone or something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He gave a sharp salute to the general.
  • The president received a 21-gun salute.
  • The concert was a musical salute to the veterans.

• Verb:

  • All soldiers must salute when the flag passes.
  • The nation will salute its fallen heroes in a ceremony tomorrow.
  • A wave of heat saluted us as we opened the oven door.
  • I salute your dedication to this difficult project.
  • We stood to salute the newlyweds.

Advanced Usage

• "To take the salute": To be the person of highest rank who receives the salutes during a military ceremony or parade.

  • The general took the salute during the graduation parade.

• "To salute the flag": To perform a gesture of respect towards a national flag.

  • The children salute the flag every morning at school.

Variants and Related Words

• Salutation (n): A word or phrase used for greeting at the beginning of a letter or in speech (e.g., "Dear Sir," "Hello").
• Salutary (adj): Producing a beneficial effect; promoting health or moral well-being.

Synonyms

• Greet: To address with expression of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival.
• Hail: To greet or acclaim enthusiastically.
• Honor: To regard or treat with admiration and respect.
• Acknowledge: To recognize the existence, authority, or truth of.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "A snappy salute": A very brisk, sharp, and precise military salute.

  • The recruit gave a snappy salute to the drill sergeant.

• "To salute with both barrels": (Informal, figurative) To respond to a challenge or criticism with full force or intensity.

  • When questioned about the policy, the CEO saluted with both barrels, defending every detail.

Noun

1. an act of greeting with friendly words and gestures like bowing or lifting the hat
2. a formal military gesture of respect
3. an act of honor or courteous recognition
   • a musical salute to the composer on his birthday

Verb

1. recognize with a gesture prescribed by a military regulation; assume a prescribed position
   • When the officers show up, the soldiers have to salute
2. honor with a military ceremony, as when honoring dead soldiers
3. become noticeable
   • a terrible stench saluted our nostrils
4. express commendation of
   • I salute your courage!
5. greet in a friendly way
   • I meet this men every day on my way to work and he salutes me
6. propose a toast to
   • Let us toast the birthday girl!
   • Let's drink to the New Year