valediction

1614. Borrowed from Latin valedīcere, present active infinitive of valedīcō (“bid farewell”), from valē, imperative of valeō (“I am well”), + dīcō (“say”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌvæl.əˈdɪk.ʃən/

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valediction (plural valedictions)

1. A speech made when leaving or parting company.
2. The act of parting company.
3. A word or phrase said upon leaving, such as "farewell" or "adieu".
   • 1952 January, Henry Maxwell, “Farewell to the "T14s"”, in Railway Magazine, page 57:

     Yes, the tide will surely turn, and meanwhile may one who is proud to call himself a partisan, invite whomever may feel disposed to bid the "T14s" adieux, to pause before giving them valediction and accord to them the respect that is assuredly their due.

4. A word or phrase used to end a letter or message.

• (phrase ending letter): complimentary close, complimentary closing

• (phrase ending message): sincerely

• Vale
• valedictory
• valedictorian
• diction

• salutation