All 3 Uses of
adieu
in
John Adams, by McCullough
- A small but noteworthy difference in the letters was that Jefferson regularly signed himself in conventional fashion, "Your obedient and humble servant," or "Your friend and servant," while Adams wrote, "Yours most affectionately," or "With great and sincere esteem," or "My dear friend adieu."†
Subsection 2.7.2 *adieu = goodbye
- To Abigail, Jefferson had written, "I have considered you while in London as my neighbor, and look forward to the moment of your departure from thence as to an epoch of much regret and concern to me......My daughters join me in affectionate adieus.†
Subsection 2.7.4
- "Dear Sir," Adams began on February 6, "It seemed to me that you and I ought not to die without saying goodbye, or bidding each other adieu.†
Subsection 3.11.3adieu = goodbye
Definition:
a farewell remark (an alternative to goodbye)
Adieu is typically more formal than bye. It comes from the French, à Dieu which literally means "to God" — as in I entrust you to God's care.