kowtow

kow·tow

 (kou-tou′, kou′tou′)

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.

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[From Mandarin kòu tóu, a kowtow, from Middle Chinese k^həw` tɦəw : k<sup>h</sup>əw`, to strike, knock + tɦəw, head.]

kowtow

(ˌkaʊˈtaʊ)

vb (intr)

1. to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom

2. (often foll by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards)

n

the act of kowtowing

[C19: from Chinese k'o t'ou, from k'o to strike, knock + t'ou head]

ˌkowˈtower n

kow•tow

(ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ, ˈkoʊ-)
v.i.

1. to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.

2. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, respect, etc., esp. in former Chinese custom.

n.

3. the act of kowtowing.

[1795–1805; < Chinese kòutóu literally, knock (one's) head]

kow′tow′er, n.

kowtow

Past participle: kowtowed
Gerund: kowtowing

Imperative

kowtow

kowtow

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"

kowtow

verb grovel, court, flatter, cringe, fawn, pander to, suck up to (slang), toady, kiss someone's ass (U.S. & Canad. taboo slang), brown-nose (taboo slang), truckle, lick someone's boots, lick someone's arse (taboo slang) Nor did he kowtow to his editors.

kowtow

verb

To support slavishly every opinion or suggestion of a superior:

bootlick, cringe, fawn, grovel, slaver, toady, truckle.

Informal: apple-polish, brownnose, cotton.

Slang: suck up.

Idioms: curry favor, dance attendance, kiss someone's feet, lick someone's boots.

noun

An inclination of the head or body, as in greeting, consent, courtesy, submission, or worship:

bow, curtsy, genuflection, nod, obeisance.

Translations

Kotauzu Kreuze kriechen

ossequiare

aanpassenbuigenbuigingdiepknielen

kowtow

[ˈkaʊˈtaʊ] VI (= bow) → saludar humildemente; (= be subservient) to kowtow to sb → bajar la cabeza or doblegarse ante algn

kowtow

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

kowtow

vi → einen Kotau machen, dienern; to kowtow to somebody → vor jdm dienern or katzbuckeln (inf) → or einen Kotau machen

kowtow

[ˌkaʊˈtaʊ] vi (fam) to kowtow to sb → prostrarsi davanti a qn (fig)