Word of the Day 5.10.09
obeisance
o·bei·sance (
-b
s
ns, -b
-)
n.
1. A gesture or movement of the body, such as a curtsy, that expresses deference or homage.
2. An attitude of deference or homage.
[Middle English obeisaunce, from Old French obeissance, from obeissant, present participle of obeir, to obey; see obey.]
o·beisant adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
| Noun | 1. | obeisance – bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
reverence – an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy)
motion, gesture – the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
genuflection, genuflexion – the act of bending the knees in worship or reverence
kotow, kowtow – a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
scrape, scraping – a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility); “all that bowing and scraping did not impress him”
salaam – a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation
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| 2. | obeisance – the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
submission, compliance – the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
truckling – the act of obeying meanly (especially obeying in a humble manner or for unworthy reasons)
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Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
