Salute

from Latin salutare ("greet"), from salutis, genitive of salus ("greeting, good health"), related to salvus ("safe").

Full definition of salute

(plural salutes)

A formal gesture made in honor of someone or something, usually with the hand or hands in one of various particular positions.The soldiers greeted the dignitaries with a crisp salute.

1997, Simonetta Falasca-Zamponi, Fascist Spectacle: The Aesthetics of Power in Mussolini's Italy, page 110,The Roman salute, in which the right arm was raised in a straight and perpendicular manner, had been adopted by D'Annunzio during his regency in Fiume. Like other rituals utilized by D'Annunzio, the salute became part of the rising fascist movement's symbolic patrimony and was inherited by Mussolini's government.
2009, Tilman Allert, The Hitler Salute: On the Meaning of a Gesture, page 46,Like lines of perspective or the beams of searchlights at Nazi Party rallies that shone into the night sky where they met in an infinitely distant beyond, the arms and hands of those giving each other the Hitler salute forever approached each other but never joined.
2010, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Salute the Dark: Shadows of the Apt 4, unnumbered page,And Kaszaat let out a shriek of pure anger, bursting forwards suddenly, flinging her hand up towards Drephos as though in salute.

Any action performed for the purpose of honor or tribute.The orchestra performed the concert as a salute to Gershwin.

To make a gesture in honor of someone or something.They saluted the flag as it passed in the parade.

1943 June 19, New York Times, quoted in 2000, Terry Eastland, Freedom of Expression in the Supreme Court: The Defining Cases, page 64,Yet the simple fact stands that a school child compelled to salute the flag, when he has been taught the flag is an "image" which the Bible forbids him to worship, is in effect made to say what he does not believe.
2000, Eric A. Posner, Law and Social Norms, page 129,The person who salutes is slavishly obedient, fearful to offend the authorities or other people; the person who declines to salute has integrity and independence.

To act in thanks, honor, or tribute; to thank or extend gratitude; to praise.I would like to salute the many dedicated volunteers that make this project possible.

2000, Stephanie Barber, Reap the Harvest for Your Life, page vii,I salute every preaching and teaching woman with the courage to step out on faith and trust God with her life and her calling.

(Ireland, informal) to wave, to acknowledge an acquaintance.I saluted Bill at the concert, but he didn't see me through the crowd.
To address, as with expressions of kind wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail.

circa 1592 William Shakespeare, , Act 3, Scene 7, 1867, William George Clark, William Aldis Wright (editors), The Works of William Shakespeare, page 578,Then I salute you with this kingly title:
Long live Richard, England's royal king!

1623, William Shakespeare, , Act 2, Scene 3, 1864, Howard Staunton (editor), The Works of William Shakespeare, Volume 3, page 292,Would I had no being,
If this salute my blood a jot; it faints me,
To think what follows..