genuflexion

9.9

Bending one knee to show worship or deep respect

noun
/ˌdʒɛn.juˈflɛk.ʃən/

: genuflexión

Traditional Catholic services often include the ritual of genuflexion when entering the pews.

Examples

The congregation performed a genuflexion before the altar as a sign of reverence.
With a deep genuflexion, the knight honored his monarch.
He made a genuflexion before entering the church.
During the ceremony, she performed a genuflexion in front of the altar.
The congregation performed a genuflexion before the altar as a sign of reverence.
Traditional Catholic services often include the ritual of genuflexion when entering the pews.
During the ceremony, she performed a genuflexion in front of the altar.

Synonyms

kneeling

vsgenuflexion

9 2.0

Being on your knees as a sign of respect or worship

is a broader knee position that can show respect without specific religious ritual

genuflection

vsgenuflexion

1 9.9

Bending one knee to show respect in a religious ceremony

is the same action but stresses deep respect rather than general worship

Antonyms

standing

162 1.0

The act of staying upright on your feet

How Low

prostration

1 9.0

kneeling

9 2.0

genuflexion

9.9

bow

53 1.0

inclination

1 5.1

Surface Forms

genuflexion singular

genuflexions plural

Morphology

genuflexion = genuflect (transparent) = genuflect + ion

Formed by the verb 'genuflect' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ion'; the noun denotes the action of genuflecting, so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Genuflexion comes from the Latin parts genu 'knee' and flex 'to bend', the same root you see in flexible. So a genuflexion is literally 'bending the knee' as a sign of worship or deep respect.