kotow
/ˈkoʊtoʊ/
verb
- To kneel and touch the ground with the forehead as an act of deep respect or submission, especially in traditional Chinese custom.
- In ancient times, subjects would kotow before the emperor.
- The diplomat refused to kotow to the foreign ruler.
- Visitors to the temple were expected to kotow three times.
- To show excessive deference or servility; to act in a submissive way.
- He refused to kotow to the demands of the bully.
- The company will not kotow to pressure from competitors.
- She doesn't kotow to anyone, no matter how powerful they are.
noun
- The act of kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground as a sign of respect or submission.
- The servant performed a deep kotow before the master.
- A single kotow was enough to show his loyalty.
- The ritual required three kotows at the altar.