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Webster 1913 Edition


Farewell

Fareˊwell′

,
int
erj.
[
Fare
(thou, you) +
well
.]
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.

Fareˊwell′

,
Noun.
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.
Shakespeare
Before I take my
farewell
of the subject.
Addison.

Fare′wellˊ

,
Adj.
Parting; valedictory; final;
as, a
farewell
discourse; his
farewell
bow.
Leans in his spear to take his
farewell
view.
Tickell.
Farewell rock
(Mining)
,
the Millstone grit; – so called because no coal is found worth working below this stratum. It is used for hearths of furnaces, having power to resist intense heat.
Ure.

Webster 1828 Edition


Farewell

FA'REWELL

, a compound of fare, in the imperative, and well. Go well; originally applied to a person departing, but by custom now applied both to those who depart and those who remain. It expresses a kind wish, a wish of happiness to those who leave or those who are left.
The verb and adverb are often separated by the pronoun; fare you well; I wish you a happy departure; may you be well in your absence.
It is sometimes an expression of separation only. Farewell the year; farewell ye sweet groves; that is, I take my leave of you.

FA'REWELL

,
Noun.
1.
A wish of happiness or welfare at parting; the parting compliment; adieu.
2.
Leave; act of departure.
And takes her farewell of the glorious sun.
Before I take my farewell of the subject.