Dictionary.com

obeisance

[ oh-bey-suhns, oh-bee- ]
/ oʊˈbeɪ səns, oʊˈbi- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR obeisance

noun

a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy, or other similar gesture.
deference or homage: The nobles gave obeisance to the new king.

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.
Question 1 of 9
You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?
To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
To stew in a sauce for a long time.
To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of obeisance

1325–75; Middle English obeisaunce<Middle French obeissance, derivative of Old French obeissant, present participle of obeir to obey; see -ance

OTHER WORDS FROM obeisance

o·bei·sant, adjectiveo·bei·sant·ly, adverb

Words nearby obeisance

obedience training, obedience trial, obedient, obedientiary, obedient plant, obeisance, obelia, obelion, obelisk, obelize, obelus
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to obeisance

salaam, fealty, praise, homage, loyalty, allegiance, kowtow, reverence, genuflection, deference, respect, bow, curtsy, honor

Example sentences from the Web for obeisance

British Dictionary definitions for obeisance

obeisance
/ (əʊˈbeɪsəns, əʊˈbiː-) /

noun

an attitude of deference or homage
a gesture expressing obeisance

Derived forms of obeisance

obeisant, adjectiveobeisantly, adverb

Word Origin for obeisance

C14: from Old French obéissant, present participle of obéir to obey
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