definitions

obeisance

[ oh-bey-suh ns, oh-bee- ]
/ oʊˈbeɪ səns, oʊˈbi- /
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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.

RELATED WORDS

courtly, deferential, dutiful, regarding, respectful, respecting, reverent, servile, standing, reverential

Nearby words

obedience trial, obedient, obedient plant, obedientiary, obeid, obeisance, obelia, obelion, obelisk, obelize, obelus

Origin of obeisance

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

Related forms

o·bei·sant, adjectiveo·bei·sant·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for obeisant

British Dictionary definitions for obeisant

obeisance

/ (əʊˈbeɪsəns, əʊˈbiː-) /

noun

an attitude of deference or homage
a gesture expressing obeisance

Derived Forms

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