kowtow

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.
To grovel, act in a very submissive manner; to show obeisance to (someone or something) in such a manner; to bow.
To bow very deeply.

noun

/ˈkaʊˌtaʊ/ en-us-kowtow.ogg en-au-kowtow.ogg

kowtow kowtows kowtowing kowtowed kotoo kotow kow-tow

From either Cantonese 叩頭 /叩头 (kau³ tau⁴) or Mandarin 叩頭 /叩头 (kòutóu). Literally, “knock head”.

dogeza

prostrate

kowtower kowtowing

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