congee

Meanings

1. Leave, formal permission for some action, (originally and particularly)
2. Leave, formal permission for some action, (originally and particularly):
3. Formal permission to leave; a passport.
4. Formal dismissal; (figurative) any dismissal; (originally & particularly humorously ironic) abrupt dismissal without ceremony.
5. Formal leavetaking; (figurative) any farewell.
6. A fee paid to make another go away, (particularly) alms to a persistent beggar.
7. A bow, curtsey, or other gesture (originally) made at departure but (later) including at greeting or in obeissance or respect.

1. To give congee, (particularly)
2. To give formal permission to leave; to dismiss.
3. To give formal permission to do something; to license.
4. To take congee: to leave ceremoniously.
5. To make a congee: to bow, curtsey, etc., (particularly dialectal) while leaving; (figuratively) to make obeissance, show respect, or defer to someone or something.

1. A type of thick rice porridge or soup, sometimes prepared with vegetables and/or meat.

Etymology

From late Middle English congie, from Old French congié, congiet (modern French congé), from Latin commeātus (“passage, permission to leave”), from commeō (“to go and come”), from con- + meō (“to go, to pass”). Figurative senses generally borrowed from developments in French congé.