“Ave! . . . Morituri te salutant . . .” (46)

In Latin, this means “Hail! . . . we who are about to die salute you. . .” and is common, albeit incorrectly, thought of as a salute paid by a gladiator to his emperor. However, it in fact was only used once, in a mock battle. In Conrad's novella, this phrase is used by women who greet people in the Company waiting room, yet never see them again – much like the relationship between the emperor and the gladiators: never again to meet.

Source:

"Morituri te salutant = Those about to die salute you - Gladiators' Salute." Ancient / Classical History - Ancient Greece & Rome & Classics Research Guide. Web. 24 Aug. 2009.

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/games/qt/morituritesalut.htm.