English Dictionary

Definition of “kowtow”

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kowtow (ˌkaʊˈtaʊPronunciation for kowtow) 

Definitions

verb (intr)

  1. to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom
  2. (often foll by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards)

noun

  1. the act of kowtowing

Alternative Forms

ˌkowˈtower noun

Word Origin

C19: from Chinese k'o t'ou,  from k'o  to strike, knock + t'ou head

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= bow, kneel, genuflect,
= grovel, court, flatter, cringe, fawn, pander to suck up to, toady, kiss someone's ass brown-nose, truckle, lick someone's boots lick someone's arse

Usage examples

  • There will be electricity for your cameras and lights, ended, you have our absolute assurance that you will be kept kowtow.
    Kippax, Frank, The Scar (1990)
  • Officers who do not kowtow to their political masters quickly find themselves in non-functional mode.
    India Today (1997)
  • While campaigning for president, Roh said he would not " kowtow " to Washington.
    canada.com (2004)
  • He wants his clients to know that he doesn't kowtow to any celebrity.
    Times, Sunday Times (2002)
  • It hadn't sat well with her that her father had had to kowtow to him for years.
    Alexandra Connor, THE TURN OF THE TIDE (2004)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'K'

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