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Genuflect Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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genuflect

[ˈdʒɛnjʊflɛkt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in religion

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

Synonyms

bow, kneel, prostrate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
genuflect

This word is often used in religious contexts to describe the act of bending one knee to the ground as a sign of respect and reverence, particularly in Christianity.

  • Before entering the pew, he paused to genuflect.
  • They genuflect in front of the altar during the service.
kneel

This term is used to describe the act of resting on one's knees. It can have both religious and non-religious connotations, often signifying humility, submission, or the act of praying.

  • She knelt to tie her shoe.
  • They all knelt together in prayer.
bow

This word describes the act of bending forward at the waist as a gesture of respect, greeting, or submission. It is commonly used in various cultural, formal, and theatrical settings.

  • He gave a slight bow when he was introduced to the audience.
  • The students all bow to their teacher at the beginning of class.
prostrate

This word implies lying stretched out on the ground face-down. It can indicate extreme submission, devotion, or exhaustion. It has a more intense and solemn connotation compared to 'kneel' or 'bow'.

  • He was found prostrate on the ground, overwhelmed by his grief.
  • The monks would prostrate themselves in front of the sacred relic.

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 | Verb

as a gesture of respect

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

Synonyms

curtsy, kowtow, show deference.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
genuflect

Typically used in religious or formal settings to describe the act of bending one knee to the ground as a sign of respect or worship.

  • He would always genuflect before entering the church
kowtow

Used in situations where someone is showing excessive and often submissive respect, sometimes with a negative connotation of being overly submissive.

  • He would kowtow to his boss, hoping to gain favor for a promotion
curtsy

Commonly used to describe a respectful bow made by women, bending the knees with one foot in front of the other. Often seen in formal events or traditional settings.

  • The young girl gave a curtsy to the queen during the ceremony
show deference

Used more broadly to describe showing respect or submission to someone, often in a respectful and polite manner without any physical action.

  • It's important to show deference to the elders in our community

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Practices

  • In many Christian traditions, genuflection is performed before entering a pew as a sign of reverence to the altar.
  • Some cultures incorporate genuflection as a gesture of humility when greeting elders or those in authority.
  • Martial arts often use similar bows, demonstrating respect towards instructors and opponents.

Psychological Aspects

  • Kneeling can evoke feelings of humility and submission, highlighting the physical expression of social hierarchies.
  • Acts of genuflection or kneeling can trigger a release of stress hormones, contributing to a lower stress response through physical actions.
  • It fosters a sense of community and belonging in group settings, as shared gestures can strengthen social bonds.

Art and Literature

  • Genuflection appears in works of art, symbolizing devotion, as seen in many religious paintings depicting characters in prayer.
  • In literature, it often signifies moments of deep reverence or pivotal plot points, bringing characters to their knees figuratively or literally.
  • Poets have used the act of genuflecting to convey themes of respect, love, and surrender in various emotional contexts.

Modern Usage

  • In contemporary discussions about respect and authority, the act of genuflection can symbolize submission to social norms.
  • Some athletes perform a gesture akin to genuflection in celebration after achieving victory, showing gratitude or respect to fans and mentors.
  • In political contexts, it can represent an act of homage or acknowledgment of historical figures or events.

Origin of 'genuflect'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'genuflectere,' where 'genus' means knee and 'flectere' means to bend.
  • First recorded use in English dates back to the late 14th century.
  • Originally used in a religious context, it has also come to signify respect in various situations.

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.

See also: genuflecting, genuflection.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,625, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.