Genuflect: meaning, definitions and examples

🙏

Add to dictionary

genuflect

[ ˈdʒɛnjʊflɛkt ]

^{Context #1}

in religion

To genuflect means to bend one or both knees as a sign of reverence or worship.

Synonyms

bow, kneel, prostrate

Examples of usage

He genuflected before the altar in the church.
She genuflected before the statue of the deity.
They genuflected as a sign of respect for the religious ceremony.

^{Context #2}

as a gesture of respect

To genuflect can also mean to show a gesture of respect or submission.

Synonyms

curtsy, kowtow, show deference

Examples of usage

He genuflected before the king as a sign of loyalty.
She genuflected before her mentor to show gratitude.
They genuflected before the authority figure in a show of obedience.

Translations

Translations of the word "genuflect" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ajoelhar-se

🇮🇳 घुटने टेकना

🇩🇪 knien

🇮🇩 berlutut

🇺🇦 вклонятися

🇵🇱 klękać

🇯🇵 ひざまずく

🇫🇷 s'agenouiller

🇪🇸 arrodillarse

🇹🇷 diz çökmek

🇰🇷 무릎을 꿇다

🇸🇦 يَجثو

🇨🇿 pokleknout

🇸🇰 pokľaknúť

🇨🇳 跪拜

🇸🇮 poklekniti

🇮🇸 krjúpa

🇰🇿 тізе бүгу

🇬🇪 დაჯდომა მუხლებზე

🇦🇿 diz çökmək

🇲🇽 arrodillarse

Word origin

The word 'genuflect' has Latin roots, coming from the combination of 'genu' (knee) and 'flectere' (to bend). It originated as a religious gesture in the Catholic Church, where believers would genuflect before the presence of the Eucharist. Over time, the term has evolved to also represent a sign of respect or submission in broader contexts.