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leave-taking (n.)
late 14c., from the verbal phrase to take leave, originally "obtain or receive formal permission" in any sense (c. 1300); see take (v.) + leave (n.). Sense evolution was through "receive formal permission to depart;" by 16c. it had begun to mean "depart with an expression of farewell," and in some cases came to mean the farewell itself. Give (someone) leave (v.) "allow, permit" is from 12c.
updated on October 10, 2017
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Dictionary entries near leave-taking
leatherstocking
leathery
leave
leaved
leaven
leave-taking
Lebanese
Lebanon
lebensform
lebensraum
lecanomancy