(尤指美国)毕业典礼上代表毕业生致告别辞的“毕业生代表”;通常指成绩最优、综合表现最突出的毕业生。(在部分语境中也可泛指“告别演说者”。)
/ˌvælɪˈdɪktɔːriən/
She was named valedictorian of her class.
她被评为本届毕业生代表(致告别辞者)。
Chosen as valedictorian, he delivered a speech that thanked his teachers and challenged his peers to serve their communities.
被选为毕业生代表后,他发表演讲,既感谢老师,也鼓励同学们投身社区服务。
源自拉丁语 valedicere,意为“告别、说再见”(vale “再见” + dicere “说”)。因此 valedictorian 原义与“告别致辞”相关,后来在北美校园文化中固定指毕业典礼上发表告别演说的优秀毕业生。