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obeisance

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

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.

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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
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