congé

[ kon-zhey, -jey; French kawn-zhey ]

noun

, plural con·gés [kon, -zheyz, -jeyz, kaw, n, -, zhey].

1. leave-taking; farewell.
2. permission to depart.
3. sudden dismissal.
4. a bow or obeisance.
5. Architecture. a concave molding, as an apophyge, formed by a quadrant curving away from a given surface and terminating perpendicular to a fillet parallel to that surface.

congé

/ ˈkɒnʒeɪ /

noun

1. permission to depart or dismissal, esp when formal
2. a farewell
3. architect a concave moulding See also cavetto

Word History and Origins

Origin of congé¹

From French, dating back to 1695–1705; congee

Word History and Origins

Origin of congé¹

C16: from Old French congié, from Latin commeātus leave of absence, from meātus movement, from meāre to go, pass

Example Sentences

And the money-making machine rose and dismissed them, as he had received them, with a short, sharp business conge'.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, poor fellow, I gave him his coup de conge last night, and he set out for England this morning.

From Project Gutenberg

We had no time nor spirits pour prendre conge stuff, but determined to call upon the Bowdlers and Miss Cooper.

From Project Gutenberg

We found the General had been wounded at Maubeuge, and was now absent on conge for the recovery of his health.

From Project Gutenberg

We found the General had been wounded at Maubeuge, and was now abſent on conge for the recovery of his health.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• escape
• evacuation
• exit
• exodus
• flight
• passage
• removal
• retirement
• retreat
• separation
• takeoff
• walkout
• withdrawal