kowtow

Sometimes ko·tow

[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

/ ˌkaʊˈtaʊ /

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)

noun

1. the act of kowtowing

Other Word Forms

• kowtower noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kowtow¹

First recorded in 1795–1805, kowtow is from the Chinese word kòutóu, literally, “knock (one's) head”

Word History and Origins

Origin of kowtow¹

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

Example Sentences

A bunch of quisling Republicans kowtowing to their aging fascist leader may seem less scary in comparison.

From Salon

"Putin doesn't need to be in our state, much less our country. We have an idiot in the White House that will kowtow to this guy."

From BBC

How law firms kowtowed to an administration making unprecedented demands.

From Los Angeles Times

And the alleged phrase captures the administration’s attitude toward the judiciary, a coequal branch of government, though you’d hardly know it by the justices’ kowtowing to the executive branch.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

Related Words

• cave in 
• genuflect 
• pander