kowtow

• POS: Noun, Verb (intransitive)
• HYPHEN: kow=tow

CIDE DICTIONARY

kowtow, n. [Chinese, knock head.].

 The prostration made by mandarins and others to their superiors, either as homage or worship, by knocking the forehead on the ground; same as Kotow. There are degrees in the rite, the highest being expressed by three knockings.  S. W. Williams.  [1913 Webster]

kowtow, v. i. 

 To perform the kowtow. Same as Kotow  [1913 Webster]
"I have salaamed and kowtowed to him."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

kowtow, n. & v. (also kotow) hist.
--n. the Chinese custom of kneeling and touching the ground with the forehead in worship or submission.
--v.intr.
1 perform the kowtow.
2 (usu. foll. by to) act obsequiously.

Etymology

Chin. ketou f. ke knock + tou head

THESAURUS

kowtow

apple-polish, bend, bend the knee, bend the neck, bend to, bending the knee, bob, bob a curtsy, bob down, bootlick, bow, bow and scrape, bow down, bow the head, bow to, bowing and scraping, brown-nose, butter up, cower, crawl, creep, cringe, cringe to, crouch, crouch before, curtsy, dance attendance on, dipping the colors, do homage, do obeisance, duck, fall down before, fawn, flatter, genuflect, genuflection, grovel, homage, inclination, kneel, kneel to, kneeling, knuckle to, lick the dust, lickspittle, make a leg, make a reverence, make obeisance, making a leg, nod, obeisance, obsequiousness, pander to, pay court to, play up to, presenting arms, prostration, reverence, salaam, salutation, salute, scrape, servility, shine up to, squat, standing at attention, stoop, submission, submissiveness, suck up to, supination, toadeat, toady, truckle, truckle to

ROGET THESAURUS

kowtow

Submission

N submission, yielding, nonresistance, obedience, surrender, cession, capitulation, resignation, backdown, obeisance, homage, kneeling, genuflexion, courtesy, curtsy, kowtow, prostration, surrendering, submissive, resigned, crouching, downtrodden, down on one's marrow bones, on one's bended knee, unresistant, unresisting, nonresisting, pliant, undefended, untenable, indefensible, humble, have it your own way, it can't be helped, amen, da locum melioribus, tempori parendum.

VB succumb, submit, yeild, bend, resign, defer to, lay down one's arms, deliver up one's arms, lower colors, haul down colors, strike one's flag, strike colors, surrender, surrender at discretion, cede, capitulate, come to terms, retreat, beat a retreat, draw in one's horns, give way, give round, give in, give up, cave in, suffer judgment by default, bend, bend to one's yoke, bend before the storm, reel back, bend down, knuckle down, knuckle to, knuckle under, knock under, eat dirt, eat the leek, eat humble pie, bite the dust, lick the dust, be at one's feet, fall at one's feet, craven, crouch before, throw oneself at the feet of, swallow the leek, swallow the pill, kiss the rod, turn the other cheek, avaler les couleuvres, gulp down, obey, kneel to, bow to, pay homage to, cringe to, truckle to, bend the neck, bend the knee, kneel, fall on one's knees, bow submission, courtesy, curtsy, kowtow, pocket the affront, make the best of, make a virtue of necessity, grin and abide, grin and bear it, shrug the shoulders, resign oneself, submit with a good grace.

Courtesy

N courtesy, respect, good manners, good behavior, good breeding, manners, politeness, bienseance, urbanity, comity, gentility, breeding, polish, presence, civility, civilization, amenity, suavity, good temper, good humor, amiability, easy temper, complacency, soft tongue, mansuetude, condescension, affability, complaisance, pr_evenance, amability, gallantry, pink of politeness, pink of courtesy, compliment, fair words, soft words, sweet words, honeyed phrases, ceremonial salutation, reception, presentation, introduction, accueil, greeting, recognition, welcome, abord, respects, devoir, regards, remembrances, kind regards, kind remembrances, love, best love, duty, empty encomium, flattering remark, hollow commendation, salaams, obeisance, bow, courtesy, curtsy, scrape, salaam, kotow, kowtow, bowing and scraping, kneeling, genuflection, obsequiousness, capping, shaking hands grip of the hand, embrace, hug, squeeze, accolade, loving cup, vin d'honneur, pledge, love token, kiss, buss, salute, mark of recognition, nod, nods and becks and wreathed smiles, valediction, condolence, courteous, polite, civil, mannerly, urbane, well-behaved, well- mannered, well-bred, well-brought up, good-mannered, polished, civilized, cultivated, refined, gentlemanlike, gallant, on one's good behavior, fine spoken, fair spoken, soft-spoken, honey-mouthed, honey- tongued, oily, bland, obliging, conciliatory, complaisant, complacent, obsequious, ingratiating, winning, gentle, mild, good-humored, cordial, gracious, affable, familiar, neighborly, diplomatic, tactful, politic, artful, courteously, with a good grace, with open arms, with outstretched arms, a bras ouverts, suaviter in modo, in good humor, Int, hail!, welcome!, well met!, ave!, all hail!, good day, good morrow!, Godspeed!, pax vobiscum!, may your shadow never be less!, Tien de plus estimable que la ceremonie, the very pink of courtesy.

Respect

N respect, regard, consideration, courtesy, attention, deference, reverence, honor, esteem, estimation, veneration, admiration, approbation, homage, fealty, obeisance, genuflection, kneeling prostration, obsequiousness, salaam, kowtow, bow, presenting arms, salute, respects, regards, duty, devoirs, egards, devotion, respecting, respectful, deferential, decorous, reverential, obsequious, ceremonious, bareheaded, cap in hand, on one's knees, prostrate, respected, in high esteem, in high estimation, time-honored, venerable, emeritus, in deference to, with all respect, with all due respect, with due respect, with the highest respect, with submission, saving your grace, saving your presence, salva sit reverentia, pace tanti nominis, Int, hail!, all hail!, esto perpetua!, may your shadow never be less!, and pluck up drowned honor by the locks, his honor rooted in dishonor stood, honor pricks me on.

Depression

N depression, lowering, depression, dip, abasement, detrusion, reduction, overthrow, overset, overturn, upset, prostration, subversion, precipitation, bow, courtesy, curtsy, genuflexion, genuflection, kowtow, obeisance, salaam, depressed, at a low ebb, prostrate, detrusive, facinus quos inquinat aequat.