### Clue: Excerpt from essay on a Rabelaisian farewell (8)
### Answer: SAYONARA 
 ### Explanation: Definition: farewell
  **Hidden in**(excerpt from) esSAY ON A Rabelaisian
Defn: What a Japanese might say to one boarding a Shinkansen, literally "if it is to be that way" from "sayo" – "that way", and "nara" – "if"