Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - salute

 I. verb  (~d; saluting)  Etymology: Middle English, from Latin salutare, from salut-, salus health, safety, greeting, from salvus safe, healthy — more at safe  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1.  a. to address with expressions of kind wishes, courtesy, or honor  b. to give a sign of respect, courtesy, or goodwill to ; greet  2. to become apparent to (one of the senses)  3.  a. to honor (as a person, nation, or event) by a conventional military or naval ceremony  b. to show respect and recognition to (a military superior) by assuming a prescribed position  c. to express commendation of ; praise  intransitive verb to make a ~  • ~r noun  II. noun  Date: 14th century  1. greeting, salutation  2.  a. a sign, token, or ceremony expressing goodwill, compliment, or respect the festival was a ~ to the arts  b. the position (as of the hand) or the entire attitude of a person saluting a superior  3. firecracker