Definition of "salaam" in English

interjection

1. A respectful ceremonial greeting used mostly by Muslims.

noun

1. A low bow as a ceremonial act of deference.

   • 1840, John Wilson, “On the Genius and Character of Burns” in John Wilson and Robert Chambers, The Land of Burns, Glasgow: Blackie & Son, Volume 2, p. lxxv, Finally, Josiah might have made his salaam to the Exciseman just as he was folding up that letter […]
   • 1895, Rabindranath Tagore, letter dated 14 August, 1895 in Glimpses of Bengal, London: Macmillan, 1921, pp. 160-161, My servant was late one morning, and I was greatly annoyed at his delay. He came up and stood before me with his usual salaam, and with a slight catch in his voice explained that his eight-year-old daughter had died last night.

verb

1. (intransitive, transitive) To perform a salaam to (someone).