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obeisant

 - 3 dictionary results

o⋅bei⋅sance

  [oh-bey-suhns, oh-bee-]
Use obeisant in a Sentence
–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:
1325–75; ME obeisaunce < MF obeissance, deriv. of OF obeissant, prp. of obeir to obey; see -ance

Related forms:
o⋅bei⋅sant, adjective
o⋅bei⋅sant⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To obeisant
o·bei·sance   (ō-bā'səns, ō-bē'-)   
n.  

  1. A gesture or movement of the body, such as a curtsy, that expresses deference or homage.

  2. An attitude of deference or homage.


[Middle English obeisaunce, from Old French obeissance, from obeissant, present participle of obeir, to obey; see obey.]
o·bei'sant adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

obeisance 
c.1374, "act or fact of obeying," from O.Fr. obeissance "obedience," from obeissant, prp. of obeir "obey," from L. oboedire (see obey). Sense in Eng. alt. late 14c. to "bending or prostration of the body as a gesture of submission or respect" by confusion with abaisance.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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