51Թ

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View synonyms for

kowtow

Sometimes ·ٴǷ

[kou-tou, -tou, koh-]

verb (used without object)

  1. to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.

  2. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom.



noun

  1. the act of kowtowing.

kowtow

/ ˌ첹ʊˈٲʊ /

verb

  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)

“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

noun

  1. the act of kowtowing

“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
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • kowtower noun
  • ˌǷˈٴǷɱ noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of kowtow1

First recorded in 1795–1805, kowtow is from the Chinese word òܳó, literally, “knock (one's) head”
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of kowtow1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

Those early signs of kowtowing were bad indicators that the members of Youngstown State University’s faculty union just couldn’t get behind.

From

That’s been the experience of big law firms and major universities that kowtowed to Trump in his anti-DEI drive this year.

From

"A kowtowing of the East towards the West is not a rising East."

From

In surrendering their dignity and self-respect by kowtowing to Trump, he gives them something in return: a permission slip to break the moral code of civilized society.

From

The police union, meanwhile, accused Rhodes and other department leaders of kowtowing to progressive interests and making it harder for cops to do their jobs.

From

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KowloonKoyukon