saluted

Saluted is the past tense and past participle of the verb salute. It means to greet or acknowledge with a formal gesture or sign of respect, or to honor or praise a person, group, or symbol. In military and ceremonial contexts, to salute is to perform a prescribed gesture, such as raising the right hand to the temple or removing headgear, as a sign of respect or allegiance. The term can also be used more broadly to acknowledge someone’s achievements or to praise publicly, for example, “they saluted his bravery.”

Etymology and form: The word comes from the Latin salutare, meaning “to greet,” itself from salut-, related to health or well-being, and entered English via Old French. The base verb is salute, with the past tense saluted and the present participle saluting.

Usage: Saluting is commonly associated with military and police traditions, but the verb can be used in ordinary language as well. For example, a crowd might salute a notable figure, or a company might salute an employee for outstanding service. In written prose, saluted often conveys formal recognition or respectful acknowledgment, rather than casual greeting.

Cultural notes: The specific gesture and rules surrounding salutes vary by country, service branch, and historical period. Some cultures emphasize removing headgear rather than hand-to-forehead salutes, and ceremonial salutes can include gun salutes or flag ceremonies. In addition to its literal sense, salute can appear figuratively to commend or honor without a physical gesture.

See also: Salute, ceremonial salute, military etiquette.