obeisance

Noun.Formal.

1. an attitude of respect or humble obedience

2. a bow or curtsy showing this attitude [Old French obéissant(obeying)]

cf. obeisant adj.

... Collins Essential English Dictionary

ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	obeisance - bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting bowing, bow reverence - an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy) motion, gesture - the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals genuflection, genuflexion - the act of bending the knees in worship or reverence kotow, kowtow - a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission scrape, scraping - a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility); "all that bowing and scraping did not impress him" salaam - a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation
	2.	obeisance - the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person obedience submission, compliance - the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another truckling - the act of obeying meanly (especially obeying in a humble manner or for unworthy reasons)

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.