Meaning

noun an act of honor or courteous recognition

noun (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

noun word of greeting used to begin a letter

originFrom Middle English salutacioun, from Old French salutacion, from Latin salutatio (“a greeting, a wishing health to”), from saluto (“wish one’s health, greet”), from salus (“well-being”). Compare the Latin greeting salve (literally “be well”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0