Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Salute \Sa*lute"\, n. [Cf. F. salut. See {Salute}, v.]
   1. The act of saluting, or expressing kind wishes or respect;
      salutation; greeting.

   2. A sign, token, or ceremony, expressing good will,
      compliment, or respect, as a kiss, a bow, etc. --Tennyson.

   3. (Mil. & Naval) A token of respect or honor for some
      distinguished or official personage, for a foreign vessel
      or flag, or for some festival or event, as by presenting
      arms, by a discharge of cannon, volleys of small arms,
      dipping the colors or the topsails, etc.

Salute \Sa*lute"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Saluted}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Saluting}.] [L. salutare, salutatum, from salus, -utis,
   health, safety. See {Salubrious}.]
   1. To address, as with expressions of kind wishes and
      courtesy; to greet; to hail.

            I salute you with this kingly title.  --Shak.

   2. Hence, to give a sign of good will; to compliment by an
      act or ceremony, as a kiss, a bow, etc.

            You have the prettiest tip of a finger . . . I must
            take the freedom to salute it.        --Addison.

   3. (Mil. & Naval) To honor, as some day, person, or nation,
      by a discharge of cannon or small arms, by dipping colors,
      by cheers, etc.

   4. To promote the welfare and safety of; to benefit; to
      gratify. [Obs.] ``If this salute my blood a jot.'' --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

salute
     v 1: propose a toast to; "Let us toast the birthday girl!";
          "Let's drink to the New Year" [syn: {toast}, {drink}, {pledge},
           {wassail}]
     2: greet in a friendly way; "I meet this men every day on my
        way to work and he salutes me"
     3: express commendation of; "I salute your courage!"
     4: become noticeable; "a terrible stench saluted our nostrils"
     5: honor with a military ceremony, as when honoring dead
        soldiers
     6: recognize with a gesture prescribed by a miltary regulation;
        assume a prescribed position; "When the officers show up,
        the soldiers have to salute" [syn: {present}]

salute
     n 1: an act of honor or courteous recognition; "a musical salute
          to the composer on his birthday" [syn: {salutation}]
     2: a formal military gesture of respect [syn: {military
        greeting}]
     3: an act of greeting with friendly words and gestures like
        bowing or lifting the hat