[ad. L. type *valedictio, noun of action f. vale-dīcere, f. L. valē VALE int., and dīcere to say, speak.]
1. The action of bidding or saying farewell (to a person, etc.); an instance of this; a farewell or leave-taking.
1614. Donne, Lett., li. Wks. 1839, VI. 368. For I must do this as a Valediction to the World, before I take Orders.
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 3. There [were] … such dear accollado’s … at their valediction and parting, as eye scarce ever beheld the like.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 324. After a formal Valediction ashore, the next day we passed the Straits.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 68. [Gustavus III.] after the last valediction to the queen and prince, died.
1872. Le Fanu, In a Glass Darkly, I. 158. They parted with a hurried and melancholy valediction.
2. An utterance, discourse, etc., made at (or by way of) leave-taking or bidding farewell.
1619. Hales, Gold. Rem., II. (1673), 86. I dealt with Mr. Præses concerning a Copy of Mr. Deans Valediction to the Synod.
1641. H. L’Estrange, God’s Sabbath, 73. The Spirit of Comfort (which in his late valediction he promised to send his Apostles).
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., 35. Their last valediction, thrice uttered by the attendants, was also very solemn.
1834. Lytton, Pompeii, III. x. He stayed not to hear the valediction or the thanks of the witch.
1863. Q. Rev., July, 203. The truly Yankee valediction, ‘I guess we will all go home, and so, good night.’
