genuflect

gen·u·flect  (jny-flkt)

intr.v. gen·u·flect·ed, gen·u·flect·ing, gen·u·flects

1. To bend the knee or touch one knee to the floor or ground, as in worship.

2. To be servilely respectful or deferential; grovel.

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[Late Latin genflectere : Latin gen, knee; see genu-¹ in Indo-European roots + Latin flectere, to bend.]

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genu·flection (-flkshn) n.

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genuflect

Verb

to bend the knee as a sign of reverence or deference, esp. in church [Latin genu knee + flectere to bend]

genuflection n

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	genuflect - bend the knees and bow in church or before a religious superior or image bow - bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King"
	2.	genuflect - bend the knees and bow in a servile manner kowtow, scrape bow - bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King"