genuflect
[ jen-yoo-flekt ]
/ ˈdʒɛn yʊˌflɛkt /
verb (used without object)
to bend the knee or touch one knee to the floor in reverence or worship.
to express a servile attitude.
Nearby words
genu valgum, genu varum, genua, genual, genucubital position, genuflect, genuflection, genuine, genupectoral position, genus, genève
Origin of genuflect
1620–30; < Medieval Latin genūflectere to bend the knee, equivalent to Latin genū-, stem of genu knee + flectere to bend
Related formsgen·u·flec·tor, noun
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for genuflect
British Dictionary definitions for genuflect
genuflect
/ (ˈdʒɛnjʊˌflɛkt) /
verb (intr)
to act in a servile or deferential manner
RC Church to bend one or both knees as a sign of reverence, esp when passing before the Blessed Sacrament
Derived Formsgenuflection or esp British genuflexion, noungenuflector, noun
Word Origin for genuflect
C17: from Medieval Latin genūflectere, from Latin genu knee + flectere to bend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for genuflect
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper