Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-GE', v.i.

To take leave with the customary civilities; to bow or courtesy. The preterit congeed is tolerable in English; but congeing will not be admitted, and congeeing is an anomaly. Conge d'elire, in ecclesiastical affairs, the king's license or permission to dean and chapter, to choose a bishop; or to an abbey or priory of his own foundation, to choose their abbot or prior. The king of Great Britain, as sovereign patron, had formerly the appointment of all ecclesiastical dignities; investing by crosier and ring, and afterward by letters patent. But now the king, on demand, sends his conge d'elire to the dean and chapter, with a letter missive, containing the name of the person he would have them elect, and if they delay the election twelve days, the nomination devolves on the king, who may appoint by letters patent. – Encyc. Cowel. Blackstone.