Kowtow: meaning, definitions and examples

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kowtow

 

[ หˆkaสŠหŒtaสŠ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

formal

To act in an excessively subservient manner; to show excessive deference or servility.

Synonyms

bow down, grovel, submit

Examples of usage

  • He refused to kowtow to the demands of his boss.
  • The dictator expected everyone to kowtow to him without question.
Context #2 | Noun

historical

A former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission.

Synonyms

bow, obeisance, prostration

Examples of usage

  • The traditional kowtow was no longer practiced in modern society.
  • The act of kowtow was seen as a gesture of loyalty to the emperor.

Translations

Translations of the word "kowtow" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น prostrar-se

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคพเคทเฅเคŸเคพเค‚เค— เคชเฅเคฐเคฃเคพเคฎ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช sich niederwerfen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bersujud

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะบะปะพะฝัั‚ะธัั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kล‚aniaฤ‡ siฤ™

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฉ้ ญใ™ใ‚‹ (ใ“ใ†ใจใ†ใ™ใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท se prosterner

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ postrarse

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท secde etmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ ˆํ•˜๋‹ค (jeolhada)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠู†ุญู†ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ klanฤ›t se

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ klaลˆaลฅ sa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฉๅคด (kรฒutรณu)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pokloniti se

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ krjรบpa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะฐา“ะทั‹ะผ ะตั‚ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒฃแƒฎแƒšแƒ›แƒแƒงแƒ แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜ แƒ—แƒแƒงแƒ•แƒแƒœแƒ˜แƒกแƒชแƒ”แƒ›แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sษ™cdษ™ etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ inclinarse

Etymology

The word 'kowtow' originated from the Chinese term 'koutou,' which means 'to kneel and touch the ground with the forehead in worship or submission.' It was a significant ritual in traditional Chinese culture, especially during imperial times. The act of kowtowing was a way to show respect and loyalty to the emperor. Over time, the term 'kowtow' has evolved to also mean showing excessive deference or subservience in a broader context.

See also: kowtowing.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,439, 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.