obeisance

[ oh-bey-suhns, oh-bee- ]
See synonyms for: obeisanceobeisant on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy, or other similar gesture.

  2. deference or homage: The nobles gave obeisance to the new king.

Origin of obeisance

1
1325–75; Middle English obeisaunce<Middle French obeissance, derivative of Old French obeissant, present participle of obeir to obey; see -ance

Other words from obeisance

  • o·bei·sant, adjective
  • o·bei·sant·ly, adverb

Words Nearby obeisance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use obeisance in a sentence

  • Little deaf and dumb used to come under my window, smiled, and made his obeisance to me.

  • The king rose in his stirrups, and made a low obeisance to the window where they were standing.

  • Her voice had the soft, purring quality in it again, and she lowered her head in the mute Malay obeisance.

    The Argus Pheasant | John Charles Beecham

British Dictionary definitions for obeisance

obeisance

/ (əʊˈbeɪsəns, əʊˈbiː-) /


noun
  1. an attitude of deference or homage

  2. a gesture expressing obeisance

Origin of obeisance

1
C14: from Old French obéissant, present participle of obéir to obey

Derived forms of obeisance

  • obeisant, adjective
  • obeisantly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012