Farewell
/ˌfɛrˈwɛl/noun
An expression used to say goodbye or a parting.
Did you know?In Middle English, farewell was originally a wish for safe travel, built from fare (“go, travel, be well”) rather than a single fixed farewell-formula.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
faran
“to go, travel, set out”
Old English
OE
wel
“well, in good condition”
Middle English
ME
far wel
“go well; fare well”
14th Century
English
fare wel
“parting wish: may you travel in safety”
Modern English
English
farewell
“a goodbye or leave-taking”