Definition of "congé"

congé

noun
plural congés
1. (archaic) Alternative form of congee: a leavetaking, a farewell, in various senses; a bow, a curtsey, or similar gestures whether or not used for taking leave.
  Quotations
  He took off his hat with much ceremony, made a low congé, and was just walking off, when Mick, my cousin, came up, whose ear had likewise been caught by the scream.
  1844 January–December, W[illiam] M[akepeace] Thackeray, “My Pedigree and Family.—Undergo the Influence of the Tender Passion.”, in “The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq. [The Luck of Barry Lyndon.]”, in Miscellanies: Prose and Verse, volume III, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1856, page 27
2. (architecture) Synonym of apophyge or cavetto: supports at the top or bottom of pillars, particularly rings or ferrils in the extremities of wooden pillars, added to provide support and prevent splintering, their imitation in stone, or a molding in the form of a quarter round.
verb
third-person singular simple present congés, present participle congéing, simple past and past participle conged
1. (archaic) Alternative form of congee: to take leave, to bid farewell, in various senses; to bow, curtsey, etc.