kowtow
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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.
[From Mandarin kòu tóu, a kowtow, from Middle Chinese khəw` tɦəw : khəw`, 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
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kowtow |
kowtow |
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Noun | 1. | ![]() |
Verb | 1. | kowtow - bend the knees and bow in a servile manner bow - bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King" |
2. | ![]() 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
verbTo support slavishly every opinion or suggestion of a superior:
Slang: suck up.
Idioms: curry favor, dance attendance, kiss someone's feet, lick someone's boots.
An inclination of the head or body, as in greeting, consent, courtesy, submission, or worship:
Translations
Kotauzu Kreuze kriechen
kowtow
[ˈkaʊˈtaʊ] VI (= bow) → saludar humildemente; (= be subservient) to kowtow to sb → bajar la cabeza or doblegarse ante algnkowtow
[ˌkaʊˈtaʊ] vito kowtow to sb → s'aplatir devant qn