obeisance

American  

[oh-bey-suhns, oh-bee-] / oʊˈbeɪ səns, oʊˈbi- /

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.

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obeisance British  

/ əʊˈbeɪsəns, əʊˈbiː- /

noun

1. an attitude of deference or homage

2. a gesture expressing obeisance

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Other Word Forms

• obeisant adjective
• obeisantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of obeisance

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

Explanation

An obeisance is an act, usually physical, showing dutiful obedience. A supplicant might perform obeisance, touching his face to the ground, before humbly asking for help. Obeisance is often used in historical or religious contexts and often refers to bowing or kneeling. Figuratively, it means an act of respect though sometimes with the negative connotation of slavishly doing as expected. Your boyfriend might bring you and your mother flowers in obeisance to the idea that the parents should be courted as much as the child. Consumers who want this software must show obeisance to the Internet — it can't be bought in a store or anywhere else.

Example Sentences

His “gruff” father had little time for such infantilizing obeisance and would resist as best he could.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

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

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2025

But positioning her as Ethan’s maybe-girlfriend — as if in obeisance to and at the same time defiance of some foundational rule of musical theater — undoes that work.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2024

What I love, and the WGA building does this too, is how they pay a flash of obeisance to this idea on the surface while undermining it in their geometry.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2023

And then, as if the situation was not horrifying enough, Gwenforte trotted up and sat down beside Jeanne, as if she, too, were refusing to pay obeisance to King Louis IX of France.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz