Home British & World English ave

Definition of ave in English:

ave

exclamation

literary

  • Used to express good wishes on meeting or parting.

noun

  • 1

    (also Ave)
    short for Ave Maria

    • ‘Thus these texts alone cannot constitute the source for the narrative meditations linked to the Ave prayer that appeared in later rosaries.’
    • ‘Regionally, the Ave prayer is beginning to replace the Paternoster.’
    • ‘It was thought that Mary loved hearing the Ave prayer because it reminded her of her happiness at the Incarnation.’

  • 2literary A shout of welcome or farewell.

Origin

Middle English from Latin, ‘fare well!’, singular imperative of avere.

Pronunciation

ave

/ˈɑːveɪ/