Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense salaams, present participle salaaming, past tense, past participle salaamed
1. verb
When someone salaams, they bow with their right hand on their forehead. This is used as a formal and respectful way of greeting someone in India and Muslim countries.
He looked from one to the other of them, then salaamed and left. [VERB]
2. convention
Some Muslims greet people by saying 'Salaam'.
salaam in British English
(səˈlɑːm)
noun
1.
a Muslim form of salutation consisting of a deep bow with the right palm on the forehead
2.
a salutation signifying peace, used chiefly by Muslims
verb
3.
to make a salaam or salute (someone) with a salaam
Word origin
C17: from Arabic salām peace, from the phrase assalām 'alaikum peace be to you
salaam in American English
(səˈlɑm)
noun
1.
a greeting (lit., “peace”) used among Muslims
in full salaam aleiˈkum, “peace (be) to you” (Ar salām ʿalaykum)
2.
in the Near East, India, etc., a greeting or ceremonial compliment, made by bowing low with the palm of the right hand placed on the forehead
3.
an obeisance or respectful greeting
verb transitive
4.
to greet with a salaam
verb intransitive
5.
to make a salaam
Word origin
Ar salām, health, peace; akin to Heb shalom, peace
Examples of 'salaam' in a sentence
salaam
But when he lifts the phone, the banks fall on their knees and salaam.
Cleary, Jon MURDER SONG (1977)
That old ability to put her in her place could still shock; she made him a mock salaam to hide her face, then sat down on the rug.