Search results
- Dictionarykowtow/ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/
verb
- 1. act in an excessively subservient manner: "she didn't have to kowtow to a boss" Similar
- 2. kneel and touch the ground with the forehead in worship or submission as part of Chinese custom. historical Similar
noun
- 1. an act of kowtowing as part of Chinese custom. historical
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
A kowtow / ˈkaʊtaʊ / (simplified Chinese: 叩头; traditional Chinese: 叩頭) is the act of deep respect shown by prostration, that is, kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground. In Sinospheric culture, the kowtow is the highest sign of reverence.
to show too much respect to someone in authority, always doing what you are told and changing what you do in order to please them: He has never kowtowed to the mainstream, but has remained true to his convictions. They were accused of kowtowing to a corrupt government. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Physical gestures of respect.
noun. : an act of kowtowing. Did you know? Kowtow originated as a noun referring to the act of kneeling and touching one's head to the ground as a salute or act of worship to a revered authority.
to show too much respect to someone in authority, always doing what you are told and changing what you do in order to please them: He has never kowtowed to the mainstream, but has remained true to his convictions. They were accused of kowtowing to a corrupt government. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Physical gestures of respect.
Kowtow, which describes the act of kneeling and touching one’s head to the ground to show respect, used to be a custom in Chinese culture. Now it refers to acting like you're doing that, whether you actually bow or not.
verb (used without object) to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom.
noun. 1. the act of kneeling and touching the ground with the forehead to show great deference, submissive respect, homage, etc., as formerly in China. verb intransitive. 2. to perform a kowtow. 3. to show servile respect (to) Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition.
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 (to somebody/something) to show somebody in authority too much respect and be too willing to obey them. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to kowtow to anyone.
Nov 10, 2024 · kowtow (third-person singular simple present kowtows, present participle kowtowing, simple past and past participle kowtowed) (intransitive, figuratively) To grovel, act in a very submissive manner. 1984 December 30, Jim Davis, Garfield [1] (comic): I suppose you're going to be nice to Odie and kowtow to Jon and lick the mailman's boots!
