farewell Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
    word of farewell.
  2. noun the act of departing politely
    leave; parting; leave-taking.
    • he disliked long farewells
    • he took his leave
    • parting is such sweet sorrow

WordNet

Fare`well" interjection
Etymology
Fare (thou, you) + well.
Definitions
  1. Go well; good-by; adieu; -- originally applied to a person departing, but by custom now applied both to those who depart and those who remain. It is often separated by the pronoun; as, fare you well; and is sometimes used as an expression of separation only; as, farewell the year; farewell, ye sweet groves; that is, I bid you farewell.
    So farewell hope, and with hope, farewell fear. Milton.
    Fare thee well! and if forever, Still forever fare thee well. Byron.
    ✍ The primary accent is sometimes placed on the first syllable, especially in poetry.
Fare`well" noun
Definitions
  1. A wish of happiness or welfare at parting; the parting compliment; a good-by; adieu.
  2. Act of departure; leave-taking; a last look at, or reference to something.
    And takes her farewell of the glorious sun. Shak.
    Before I take my farewell of the subject. Addison.
Fare"well` adjective
Definitions
  1. Parting; valedictory; final; as, a farewell discourse; his farewell bow.
    Leans in his spear to take his farewell view. Tickell.
    Ure.

Webster 1913