Adieu'. adv. [from à Dieu, used elliptically for à Dieu je vous commende, used at the departure of friends.] The form of parting, originally importing a commendation to the Divine care, but now used, in a popular sense, sometimes to things inanimate; farewell.

Ne gave him leave to bid that aged sire
Adieu, but nimbly ran her wonted course. Fairy Queen, b. ii.

Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords; you restrained yourself within the list of too cold an adieu; be more expressive to them. Shakespeare's All's well that ends well.

While now I take my last adieu,
Heave thou no sigh, nor shed a tear;
Lest yet my half-clos'd eye may view
On earth an object worth its care. Prior.