obsequious
Use Obsequious in a sentence
kwi adjective
1.
characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow.
2.
servilely compliant or deferential: obsequious servants.
3.
obedient; dutiful.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin obsequiōsus, equivalent to obsequi(um) compliance (obsequ(ī) to comply with (ob- ob- + sequī to follow) + -ium -ium) + -ōsus -ous
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin obsequiōsus, equivalent to obsequi(um) compliance (obsequ(ī) to comply with (ob- ob- + sequī to follow) + -ium -ium) + -ōsus -ous
Related forms
ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverb
ob·se·qui·ous·ness, noun
o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous, adjective
o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverb
o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To obsequious
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Obsequious
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Collins
World English Dictionary
obsequious (əbˈsiːkwɪəs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | obedient or attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner |
| 2. | rare submissive or compliant |
| [C15: from Latin obsequiōsus compliant, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to follow, from ob- to + sequi to follow] | |
| ob'sequiously | |
| —adv | |
| ob'sequiousness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
obsequious
mid-15c., "prompt to serve," from L. obsequiosus "compliant, obedient," from obsequium "compliance, dutiful service," from obsequi "to accommodate oneself to the will of another," from ob "after" + sequi "follow" (see sequel). Pejorative sense of "fawning, sycophantic" had
emerged by 1590s. Related: Obsequiously.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
His wealth nevertheless turns the townspeople into groveling, obsequious sycophants.
One minute he is noisy and arrogant, the next he is obsequious and sly.
People are by turns obsequious, angry, and disingenuous.
It neither neglected the existing façade nor was it an obsequious response to it.
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