Ave

This article is about the Roman salutation. See AVE (disambiguation) for other meanings.

Ave! or aue! is a Latin phrase, used by the Romans as a salutation and greeting, meaning 'hail'. It is the singular imperative form of the verb avēre, which meant "to be well"; thus, one could translate it literally as "be well!" or "farewell!" [link]

The Latin pronunciation of ave or aue was IPA: ['awe:]. In English, it tends to be pronounced IPA: ['ɑ:vei].

The term was notably used to greet the Caesar or other authorities. Suetonius recorded that gladiators before combat addressed Caesar with the words Ave Caesar! Morituri te salutant! ("Hail, Caesar! Those who are about to die salute you!")

The Vulgate version of the Annunciation translates the salute of the angel to Mary, Mother of Jesus as Ave Maria, gratia plena ("Hail Mary, full of grace"). Ave Maria is a Catholic Marian prayer that has inspired authors of religious music.

Fascist regimes during the 20th century also adopted the greeting. It was used during Nazi Germany in the direct German translation, heil.

Ave

See also