obeisance

o·bei·sance  (-bsns, -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.

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[Middle English obeisaunce, from Old French obeissance, from obeissant, present participle of obeir, to obey; see obey.]

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o·beisant adj.

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obeisance [oh-bay-sanss]

Noun

Formal

1. an attitude of respect or humble obedience

2. a bow or curtsy showing this attitude [Old French obéissant obeying]

obeisant adj

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obeisance

1. a gesture of respect, as a bow.
2. homage or an act of homage. — obeisant, adj.

See also: Allegiance

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Obeisance of servants: company of servants—Bk. of St. Albans, 1486.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	obeisance - bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting bowing, bow 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
	2.	obeisance - the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person obedience 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)