genuflection
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌdʒɛnjʊˈflɛkʃən/
:
genuflexión
- The GIRM instructs that during Mass no genuflections are to be made toward the tabernacle for the priest, the deacon, and the ministers.
Examples
-
Everyone's dipping down on one knee, down into a three-point genuflection, and she herself dips down, with knee, toe, and knuckle to the mosaic floor before the Resurrection.
Fiction book (1996) -
For example, in the OF, our pastor started doing a genuflection before each elevation.
Blog text (31) -
After a short genuflection before the high altar and the statue of St. Gerard, they made their way to their choir stalls.
Academic text (1992) -
In another section, the General Instruction lays out norms for genuflection and bowing.
Academic text (2004) -
Our pastor—who is a canonist, so he takes a very by-the-book approach—does not object to genuflections towards the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.
Blog text (32) -
During the church service, many parishioners made a genuflection as a sign of respect before entering their pews.
-
Before the altar, she performed a quick genuflection to show her reverence.
-
The priest taught the children about the proper way to do a genuflection in the presence of the sanctuary.
Synonyms
9
2.0
Being on your knees as a sign of respect or worship
Bending one knee to show worship or deep respect
Antonyms
How Low
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Genuflection comes from the Latin parts genu 'knee' and flectere 'to bend'. So a genuflection is literally a 'knee-bend' — picture someone dropping one knee before an altar or person to show respect or worship.