Kowtow: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
kowtow
[ หkaสหtaส ]
formal
To act in an excessively subservient manner; to show excessive deference or servility.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He refused to kowtow to the demands of his boss.
- The dictator expected everyone to kowtow to him without question.
historical
A former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission.
Synonyms
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:
๐ต๐น prostrar-se
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเคพเคทเฅเคเคพเคเค เคชเฅเคฐเคฃเคพเคฎ เคเคฐเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช sich niederwerfen
๐ฎ๐ฉ bersujud
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะพะบะปะพะฝััะธัั
๐ต๐ฑ kลaniaฤ siฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฉ้ ญใใ (ใใใจใใใ)
๐ซ๐ท se prosterner
๐ช๐ธ postrarse
๐น๐ท secde etmek
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ํ๋ค (jeolhada)
๐ธ๐ฆ ููุญูู
๐จ๐ฟ klanฤt se
๐ธ๐ฐ klaลaลฅ sa
๐จ๐ณ ๅฉๅคด (kรฒutรณu)
๐ธ๐ฎ pokloniti se
๐ฎ๐ธ krjรบpa
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐาะทัะผ ะตัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแฃแฎแแแแงแ แแแ แแแงแแแแแกแชแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sษcdษ etmษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ inclinarse
Word origin
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.