congé

(känz̸hā′, -jā′; Frn z̸hā)

noun

  1. a curt dismissal
  2. permission to leave
  3. a formal farewell
  4. a bow, esp. at leave-taking
  5. Archit. a concave molding

Origin: Fr, leave, departure < OFr congie < L commeatus, a going to and fro < commeare, to come and go < com-, intens. + meare, to go: see permeate

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