obeisance

[ oh-bey-suhns, oh-bee- ]

noun

1. a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy, or other similar gesture.
2. deference or homage:

   The nobles gave obeisance to the new king.

obeisance

/ əʊˈbeɪsəns; əʊˈbiː- /

noun

1. an attitude of deference or homage
2. a gesture expressing obeisance

Derived Forms

• oˈbeisant, adjective
• oˈbeisantly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• o·beisant adjective
• o·beisant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of obeisance¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of obeisance¹

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

Example Sentences

But the demands for obeisance from everyone around him, foreign and domestic, aren't new.

From Salon

They were flesh-and-blood human beings, fallible like all of us, and nowhere were these imperfections more apparent than in their obeisance to neoliberalism — that is, free-market capitalism.

From Salon

But “Saturday Night” and the “Ghostbusters” reboots show an obeisance to his father’s legacy that represents a step backward.

From Los Angeles Times

But its apparent obeisance to a few thousand of America's wealthiest producers in the commodity crop business, while cutting food aid and conservation funding, has also drawn criticism from both left and right.

From Salon

The “Puja” ceremony required participants to “make obeisance” to one of the Hindu deities and invite those deities “to channel their powers through those present” for the ceremonies, the news release said.

From Washington Times