Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- interjection Used to express farewell.
- noun A farewell.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun adieus or (in French spelling) adieux (a-dū z′ , ȧ-dyė′ ). A farewell or commendation to the care of God: as, an everlasting adieu; to make one's adieus.
- Literally, to God, an ellipsis for I commend you to God: an expression of kind wishes at the parting of friends, equivalent to farewell; hence, a parting salutation in general: as, adieu to my hopes.
- Synonyms Adieu, Farewell, Good-by. These words have completely lost their original meanings. In use the difference between them is only one of formality, good-by being the most common, and adieu the most formal. By the Society of Friends (and perhaps some other sects) farewell is preferred, as not involving the careless mention of the name of God. In strict propriety, farewell is a parting salutation to persons going away.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- interjection Good-by; farewell; an expression of kind wishes at parting.
- noun A farewell; commendation to the care of God at parting.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- interjection Said to wish a fond farewell; good-bye.
- noun A
farewell , agoodbye ; especially a fond farewell, or a lasting or permanent farewell.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a farewell remark
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Perhaps it would be best to call it adieu, fest up and join his great grandchildren, as he openly admits, someone closer to him has fervently suggested.
Two Views of Mexico 2008
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"Perhaps when you have read my history, the dreadful word adieu --"
The World's Greatest Books — Volume 08 — Fiction Various 1910
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In the evening the enthusiasts bade an adieu, which is likely to be an eternal one, to their hosts, and returned to St. Petersburg, sadder, but wiser by the loss of an illusion.
Count Leon Tolstoi 1892
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Alas! the adieu was a final one, for I never saw him afterwards; and within three short weeks of my marriage, I was a widow again!
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There are even some liberals who argue that Quebec should be allowed to say "adieu" to the Canadian Confederation.
Ken Blackwell: After the Flotilla Raid, Progressives Show Their True Colors 2010
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I must bid "adieu" although I am an atheist, go figure! to you, mon ami.
The Opinuary Column mjs 2009
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"whole pack in full cry" of the Roman children running by the side and calling adieu to dear Tante Lise.
Social life in old New Orleans : being recollections of my girlhood, 1912
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Upon arriving in Georgia she was led to enjoy the contrast between the snow-clad hills of New England, to which she had bidden "adieu" a few days previous, and the mild atmosphere of a hitherto untried latitude.
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If it is a clear, cold night, the clicking of their wooden shoes may be heard for some time; but if it is damp weather, the sound is stifled, and after a few moments the faint echo of an "adieu" or Christmas greeting is all that can be heard around the church as the beadle closes it.
In the Yule-Log Glow, Book II Christmas Tales from 'Round the World 1902
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Surreptitiously wiping my eyes and swallowing the sobs in my throat, I held out the baby to its mother and began to say a halting "adieu" to all of them.
Over Paradise Ridge A Romance Maria Thompson Daviess 1898
100000656913442 commented on the word adieu
She waved him an adieu from the window, and stood there for a moment looking out after he was gone.(online dictionary)
September 23, 2010