Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Word of the Day for Wednesday, May 2, 2012

kowtow \KOU-TOU\, verb:

1. To act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.
2. To touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom.

noun:
1. The act of kowtowing.

    Mei-hua was sitting nearby, and though she could not understand the English words she understood what was happening. She murmured that her daughter should kowtow.
    -- Beverly Swerling, City of God

    It's a new one for Morrison to meet a girl who doesn't kowtow. He's a very great personage in his line, and he can't help knowing it.
    -- Dorothy Canfield, The Bent Twig

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