The Collaborative International Dictionary
Salutatory \Sa*lu"ta*to*ry\, a. [L. salutatorius. See Salute.] Containing or expressing salutations; speaking a welcome; greeting; -- applied especially to the oration which introduces the exercises of the Commencements, or similar public exhibitions, in American colleges.
Salutatory \Sa*lu"ta*to*ry\, n.
A place for saluting or greeting; a vestibule; a porch. [Obs.]
--Milton.(American Colleges) The salutatory oration.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1690s, "pertaining to a salutation," from Latin salutatorius "pertaining to visiting or greeting," from salut-, past participle stem of salutare "to greet" (see salute (v.)). From 1702 in reference to an address which welcomes those attending commencement exercises.
Wiktionary
a. Characteristic of a salutation or greeting. n. 1 (senseid en address)A greeting or an address or speech of greeting. 2 (context obsolete English) A place for saluting or greeting; a vestibule; a porch.
WordNet
Usage examples of "salutatory".
Who the honoree was and why he or she rated a salutatory dinner was left to the imagination.
It was the identical ritual Kate had been through fifty times that nighta greeting, followed by best wishes, followed by a salutatory kiss on the cheek.
Therefore, was it not reasonable to suppose that certain introductory or salutatory words or phrases of known meaning on New Persian monuments might also be found on the Old Persian?
The laureates and the others bowed their heads respectfully to the Queen and took their seats as the music played on, and then there was applause, and the Nobel Foundation chairman approached the lectern to give his salutatory address.