Kowtow meaning

kou-tou, koutou
kowtowed kowtowing kowtows
See word origin
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The act of kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground.
noun
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The definition of kowtow is to be submissive or subservient to someone, or to kneel and touch the ground with your forehead as an act of worship.

A woman who gives into all of her husband's needs and demands and who is submissive to him is an example of someone who kowtows to her husband.

When a Chinese man touches his forehead to the ground while worshiping, this is an example of kowtow.

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The act of kneeling and touching the ground with the forehead to show great deference, submissive respect, homage, etc., as formerly in China.
noun
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To perform a kowtow.
verb
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To show servile respect (to)
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(intransitive) To kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.
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(intransitive) To bow very deeply.
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(intransitive, figuratively) To act in a very submissive manner.
verb
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The act of kowtowing.
noun
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To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship, or submission, as formerly done in China.
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To show servile deference.
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An obsequious act.
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Origin of kowtow

  • From Mandarin kòu tóu a kowtow from Middle Chinese khəw` tfiəw khəw` to strike, knock tfiəw head

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Cantonese 叩頭 / 叩头 (kau3 tau4) kau3 ‘knock’ + tau4 ‘head’; Chinese Mandarin 叩頭 / 叩头 (kòutóu) kòu ‘knock’ + tóu ‘head’.

    From Wiktionary