valedict means to farewell; to make a valediction or parting gesture. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.
Why “valedict” is a great word
To formally bid farewell, especially with a ceremonious address or gesture of parting. It stems from the Latin valedictus, past participle of valedīcō, from valē ("farewell, be well") + dīcō ("to say, speak"). Unlike a "salute," which greets an arrival, or a "dismiss," which sends away with authority, to valedict is to mark a departure with deliberate grace. It is the final, resonant note from the podium, the last, lifted hand from a departing train, or the slow dimming of the lights after a closing performance—a spoken ritual that draws a dignified boundary around what has been, wishing the traveler well upon the path they must now walk alone.
Etymology
From Latin valedictus, past participle of valedīcō, from Latin valē (“farewell”) + Latin dīcō (“to speak”).
verb
- To farewell; to make a valediction or parting gesture.“It was a privilege to be valedicted at such a meeting, and the inspiration of it has never passed from my heart. I believe the only new missionary valedicted was Herbert Anderson, leaving for India ;”
noun
- Valedictorian.“Sydney, August 8, Earl Beauchamp, the Governor, and Sir W. Lyne, the Premier, visited the transport Salamis this afternoon and delivered valedict's addresses on the occasion of the departure of the New South Wale; contingent for China.”