congé

noun

con·​gé kōⁿ-ˈzhā  ˈkän-ˌzhā 

variants or less commonly congee

ˈkän-(ˌ)jē 

-(ˌ)zhē

1

a

: a formal permission to depart

b

: dismissal

2

: a ceremonious bow

3

: farewell

4

: an architectural molding of concave profile see molding illustration

Synonyms

• adieu
• au revoir
• ave
• bon voyage
• farewell
• Godspeed
• good-bye
• good-by

Examples of congé in a Sentence

with an elaborately ceremonious congé, the ambassador took his leave

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier congee, congie, from Middle English conge, from Anglo-French cungé, from Latin commeatus going back and forth, leave, from commeare to go back and forth, from com- + meare to go — more at permeate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a