salutatorian n.

variant of suffix -an (q.v.), with connective -i-. From Latin -ianus, in which the -i- originally was from the stem of the word being attached but later came to be felt as connective. In Middle English frequently it was -ien, via French.

1690s, "pertaining to a salutation; of the nature of a greeting," 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.