a. and sb. [f. L. valedict-um, pa. pple. of vale-dīcere (see VALEDICTION) + -ORY.]
A. adj. 1. Uttered or bestowed in bidding or on taking farewell; of the nature of a valediction.
1651. Baxter, Infant Bapt., 159. In the Pulpit in his Valedictory Oration to the People of Bewdeley.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 11 Jan. 1694. He [Dryden] read to us his Prologue and Epilogue to his valedictory Play, now shortly to be acted.
1764. Harmer, Observ., V. § 4. 213. These valedictory songs … which the Prefetto takes notice of.
1778. Stiles, Diary (1901), II. 288. The President [of Yale] introduced the exercises in a latin Speech…. Then succeeded … Valedictory Orat[ion]. Eng[lish. By] Sir Tracy.
1829. Southey, Lett. (1856), IV. 155. The Bishop who delivered the valedictory address.
1850. W. Irving, Goldsmith, iv. 70. He penned his valedictory letter to his good uncle.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. xv. While delivering these valedictory observations, Wegg continually disappointed Mr. Boffin of his hand by flourishing it in the air.
2. Manifested, performed, or done by way of valediction.
1806. R. Cumberland, Mem., 166. Crowds of people … studious to pay to their popular chief governor every valedictory honour that their zeal and attention could devise.
1849. Mrs. Craik, Ogilvies, xxii. All that passed between them was a valedictory bow.
1871. Ainsworth, Tower Hill, II. xi. As he cast a valedictory look around, his eye alighted upon Dereham.
1884. Pall Mall G., 15 Nov., 8/1. Lord Ripon’s valedictory tour … in the Punjab and North-West Provinces.
B. sb. 1. U.S. A valedictory oration. (See quot. 1847 and cf. VALEDICTORIAN.)
1847. Webster, Valedictory, in American colleges, an oration or address spoken at commencement, by a member of the class which receive the degree of bachelor of arts, and take their leave of college and of each other.
1884. J. Quincy, Figures of Past, 54. An oration in English and a Latin valedictory were commonly spoken by three-year graduates.
2. A statement or speech made by way of valediction on leaving a position, person, etc.
1892. Monist, II. 309. In his Valedictory on retiring from the Editorship.
1893. Goldw. Smith, United States, 396. John A. Andrew also … said in his valedictory of January the 4th, 1866, that [etc.].
Hence Valedictorily adv. rare–1.
1856. Clough, Poems, etc. (1860), I. 228. Charles Norton dines with us this evening, valedictorily.
