Revoir

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. A French term signaling farewell when parting ; an expression used to indicate seeing someone again ; in English contexts, a borrowed phrase for bidding goodbye with the expectation of meeting in the future
2. Used to convey a goodbye in French, especially with the sense of looking forward to another meeting ; a salutation implying future reunion ; an adopted foreign word meaning farewell until next time
3. A phrase originally from French for parting with the anticipation of reuniting ; commonly used to say goodbye while suggesting another encounter ; in English usage, a stylish or formal way to signal departing with the promise of seeing again

Etymology: The word "revoir" comes directly from French, where it functions both as a verb meaning "to see again" and as a noun related to the act of seeing again or a farewell. Its roots lie in the combination of the prefix "re-" meaning "again" and the verb "voir," which means "to see." This construction reflects the literal sense of the verb: to look at something once more or to meet again. Tracing "voir" further back, it derives from the Latin verb "vidēre," which means "to see." The Latin root is the ancestor of many related words in the Romance languages, all revolving around vision or perception. The prefix "re-" in Latin similarly means "again," and so the French form "revoir" neatly packages this idea into a simple, elegant verb. In English usage, "revoir" is less common and usually appears in borrowed phrases, most famously in "au revoir," a French expression used as a polite way to say goodbye that literally means "until we see each other again." This phrase captures both the noun and verbal senses of the original French word, emphasizing the hopeful expectation of meeting again rather than a final farewell. The adoption of "revoir" and related expressions into English and other languages highlights the enduring influence of French as a language of diplomacy, culture, and social grace, especially from the 17th century onward. While "revoir" itself is not a native English formation, its components are transparent to those familiar with Romance language roots, allowing the word to carry its meaning across linguistic boundaries with ease. Overall, the word encapsulates a simple but profound human experience: the anticipation of reunion, the act of seeing once more, and the social grace embedded in parting words that promise a future encounter.

Synonyms: see again, meet again, revisit

Antonyms: forget, ignore