Definition of "valedictory"

Supp'd at Mr. Edwd Sheldon's, where was Mr. [John] Dryden the Poet, who now intended to write no more Plays, being intent on his Translation of Virgil. He read to us his Prologue and Epilogue to his valedictory Play, now shortly to be acted.

1694 January 21 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, part I, page 39

While delivering these valedictory observations, Wegg continually disappointed Mr. Boffin of his hand by flourishing it in the air.

1864 May – 1865 November, Charles Dickens, “Two New Servants”, in Our Mutual Friend. […], volume I, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1865, book the first (The Cup and the Lip), page 143

It was illustrated on page 617 of our October issue and the class as a whole was the subject of a valedictory article in our August, 1959 issue.

1961 December, “Motive Power Miscellany: Eastern Region”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, page 760

When Fyodor had come up to Izzy six months ago, it had been understood as a valedictory mission before getting shunted to an administrator's job at Roskosmos.

2015, Neal Stephenson, Seveneves, London: The Borough Press, HarperCollins, published 2016, page 93

Barcelona have had a habit of collapsing like a poorly constructed millefeuille in away legs over the past four years. But still, as Jordan Henderson hurled himself about in midfield like a labrador puppy chasing flies, as [Sadio] Mané pressed with sniping menace on the left, there was something valedictory in the air.

2019 May 8, Barney Ronay, “Liverpool’s waves of red fury and recklessness end in joyous bedlam”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian‎, London: Guardian News & Media, archived from the original on 25 March 2021

[Jean-Claude] Juncker gave an emotional valedictory. When he stopped speaking, an Italian journalist stood up. "History will judge you, Mr Juncker," the journalist said solemnly, "but we will never forget you" before urging a round of applause for the Luxembourger's "30 years as a true European".

2020 March 13, Katherine Butler, “How will we report on the EU now that the UK is out?”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian‎, London: Guardian News & Media, archived from the original on 16 April 2020