kowtow (redirected from kowtows)

kow·tow  (kou-tou, koutou)

intr.v. kow·towed, kow·tow·ing, kow·tows

1. To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship, or submission, as formerly done in China.

2. To show servile deference. See Synonyms at fawn¹.

n.

1. The act of kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground.

2. An obsequious act.

---

[From Chinese (Mandarin) kòu tóu, a kowtow : kòu, to knock + tóu, head.]

---

kowtow

Verb

1. to be humble and very respectful (towards): the senior editors accused each other of kowtowing to his demands

2. to touch the forehead to the ground in deference

Noun

the act of kowtowing [Chinese k'o to strike, knock + t'ou head]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	kowtow - a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission kotow bowing, obeisance, bow - bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
Verb	1.	kowtow - bend the knees and bow in a servile manner genuflect, scrape bow - bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King"
	2.	kowtow - try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always kowtowing to his boss" bootlick, kotow, toady, truckle, fawn, suck up blandish, flatter - praise somewhat dishonestly court favor, court favour, curry favor, curry favour - seek favor by fawning or flattery; "This employee is currying favor with his superordinates"

Translations

kowtow [ˈkauˈtau] vi to kowtow to sb → humillarse ante algn

kowtow [ˈkauˈtau] vi to kowtow to sb → s'aplatir devant qn

kowtow [ˈkauˈtau] vi to kowtow to sb → vor jdm dienern or einen Kotau machen

kowtow [ˈkauˈtau] vi to kowtow to sb → mostrarsi ossequioso/a verso qn