salute

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
salute/səˈluːt/

▶noun

• 1 a gesture of respect and recognition.

• 2 a prescribed or specified movement, typically a raising of a hand to the head, made as a salute by a member of a military or similar force.

• 3 the discharge of a gun or guns as a formal or ceremonial sign of respect or celebration.

• 4 Fencing the formal performance of certain guards or other movements by fencers before engaging.

▶verb

• 1 make a formal salute to.

• 2 greet.

• 3 show or express admiration and respect for.

– derivatives
saluter noun.

– origin ME: from L. salutare ‘greet, pay one's respects to’, from salus, salut- ‘health, welfare, greeting’; the noun partly from OFr. salut.