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obsequiousness

 - 3 dictionary results

ob⋅se⋅qui⋅ous

  [uhb-see-kwee-uhs]
Use obsequiousness in a Sentence
–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 ME < L obsequiōsus, equiv. 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

Synonyms:
1. sycophantic, flattering. 2. cringing, submissive. See servile.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To obsequiousness
ob·se·qui·ous   (ŏb-sē'kwē-əs, əb-)   
adj.  Full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning.

[Middle English, from Latin obsequiōsus, from obsequium, compliance, from obsequī, to comply : ob-, to; see ob- + sequī, to follow; see sekw-1 in Indo-European roots.]
ob·se'qui·ous·ly adv., ob·se'qui·ous·ness n.
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

obsequious 
c.1450, "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 1599 (implied in obsequiously).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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