Salute
/səˈluːt/noun
A gesture or verbal expression of greeting, respect, or honor.
Did you know?Salute ultimately comes from Latin *salus*, meaning “health” or “well-being,” so a salute began as a verbal blessing for someone’s survival, not just a military gesture.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*solh₂-
“to be whole, well, in good health”
Latin
Latin
salus
“health, well-being, safety”
Late Latin
Latin
salutare
“to greet, wish health to”
Old French
Old French
saluer
“to greet, salute”
Middle English
English
saluten
“to greet or pay respect”
Modern English
English
salute
“to greet or show respect, especially with a formal gesture”
Explore more surprising origins