kowtow
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈkaʊˌtaʊ/
:
prosternación
- And I thought the days of kowtow into China were done because it it seemed for a while, basically all Disney movies were getting banned there.
Examples
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This is a terrible decision that reduces NATO's security, encourages Iran to proceed full speed ahead with its nuclear program, kowtows to Russian pressure, and stabs our Polish and Czech allies in the back after they made the difficult decision to support us.
Blog text (5) -
After the kowtow, didn’t Mr. G go to Peking to persuade those fellows to take treasuries denominated in renminbi?
Blog text (3) -
And I thought the days of kowtow into China were done because it it seemed for a while, basically all Disney movies were getting banned there.
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When people with a worldview based on watching MSNBC find out that the rest of the world neither watches MSNBC nor kowtows to people who do, they are in for a rude awakening.
Blog text (19) -
"How nice that you are with us, Mrs. Rowell, Mr. Rowell," she said, extending her hand to a woman as aged as herself, whose head, wearing a clever rainbow-ribboned toque, lifted from a slight, concealing kowtow.
Fiction book (1992) -
During the ceremony, each participant performed a kowtow to show their respect for the ancestors.
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He completed the kowtow as part of the traditional greeting to the emperor, touching his forehead to the floor.
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In ancient China, a formal kowtow was a sign of submission to the ruling dynasty.
Synonyms
9
2.0
Being on your knees as a sign of respect or worship
8
9.9
A deep formal bow made by moving one foot back to show respect
1
2.7
Bending the head or upper body forward to show respect
1
9.9
A deep bow made by moving one foot back to show respect
To kneel and touch your forehead to the ground to show deep respect
How Respectful
Surface Forms
Etymology
Kowtow, as a noun, comes from the Chinese phrase kòu tóu, which means 'knock head' and was a way to kneel and touch your forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect, like a very deep bow.