salutatorian
pronunciation
How to pronounce salutatorian in British English:
UK [səˌlju:tə'tɔ:rɪən]
How to pronounce salutatorian in American English:
US [səˌlutə'toʊrɪrn]
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- Noun:
- the graduating student with the second highest academic rank; delivers the opening address at graduation exercises
Word Origin
- salutatorian (n.)
- 1841, American English, from salutatory "of the nature of a salutation," here in the specific sense "designating the welcoming address given at a college commencement" (1702) + -ian. The address was originally usually in Latin and given by the second-ranking graduating student.