Valediction

A valediction (derivation from Latin vale dicere, "to say farewell"),^[1] or complimentary close in American English,^[2] is an expression used to say farewell, especially a word or phrase used to end a letter or message,^[3]^[4] or a speech made at a farewell.^[3]

Valediction's counterpart is a greeting called a salutation.

^ Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology. Great Britain: Oxford University Press. 1996. p. 519.
^ Complimentary close on The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition.
^ ^a ^b Valediction – Definition from American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). as cited by The Free Dictionary.
^ Valediction Dictionary.co.uk.

[1] Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology. Great Britain: Oxford University Press. 1996. p. 519.

[2] Complimentary close on The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition.

[amhe-3] Valediction – Definition from American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). as cited by The Free Dictionary.

[4] Valediction Dictionary.co.uk.

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