congé

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