Salutations

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌsæljʊˈteɪʃənz/

Definitions

1. Forms of greeting that express respect or cordiality towards others; Words or phrases used to acknowledge someone's presence pleasantly; Courteous expressions intended to foster goodwill in social or formal interactions
2. Words or phrases used to politely address or welcome someone in person or in writing
3. Pleasant verbal or written acknowledgments used to show respect or friendliness towards another person

Etymology: "Salutations" is the plural of "salutation," so its origin lies in the Latin "salutare," meaning "to greet, to wish health to," itself built on "salus," "health" or "well-being." The greeting and the wish for good health were once one gesture: to salute someone was to hail them and wish them well at the same time. That double sense explains why the word has always carried a sense of warmth as well as formality. In English the noun has long been used for the courteous words that open a letter or a speech, and its sense of a formal greeting or gesture of respect followed naturally from the verb. The interjection use mentioned in the source is simply the noun turned into an exclamation, as when a greeting is shouted out in place of being spelled out in full.

Synonyms: greetings, regards, hello

Antonyms: farewells, goodbyes