kowtow
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kow·tow
(kou-tou′, kou′tou′)intr.v. kow·towed, kow·tow·ing, kow·tows
1. To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship, or submission, as formerly done in China.
2. To show servile deference. See Synonyms at fawn1.
n.
1. The act of kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground.
2. An obsequious act.
[From Mandarin kòu tóu, a kowtow, from Middle Chinese khəw` tɦəw : khəw`, to strike, knock + tɦəw, head.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
kowtow
(ˌkaʊˈtaʊ)vb (intr)
1. to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom
2. (often foll by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards)
n
the act of kowtowing
[C19: from Chinese k'o t'ou, from k'o to strike, knock + t'ou head]
ˌkowˈtower n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
kow•tow
(ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ, ˈkoʊ-)v.i.
1. to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.
2. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, respect, etc., esp. in former Chinese custom.
n. 3. the act of kowtowing.
[1795–1805; < Chinese kòutóu literally, knock (one's) head]
kow′tow′er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
kowtow
Past participle: kowtowed
Gerund: kowtowing
| Imperative |
|---|
| kowtow |
| kowtow |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  kowtow - a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission |
| Verb | 1. | kowtow - bend the knees and bow in a servile manner bow - bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King" |
| 2. |  kowtow - try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always kowtowing to his boss"court favor, court favour, curry favor, curry favour - seek favor by fawning or flattery; "This employee is currying favor with his superordinates" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
kowtow
verb grovel, court, flatter, cringe, fawn, pander to, suck up to (slang), toady, kiss someone's ass (U.S. & Canad. taboo slang), brown-nose (taboo slang), truckle, lick someone's boots, lick someone's arse (taboo slang) Nor did he kowtow to his editors.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
kowtow
verbTo support slavishly every opinion or suggestion of a superior:
Slang: suck up.
Idioms: curry favor, dance attendance, kiss someone's feet, lick someone's boots.
An inclination of the head or body, as in greeting, consent, courtesy, submission, or worship:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
Kotauzu Kreuze kriechen
kowtow
[ˈkaʊˈtaʊ] VI (= bow) → saludar humildemente; (= be subservient) to kowtow to sb → bajar la cabeza or doblegarse ante algnCollins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
kowtow
[ˌkaʊˈtaʊ] vito kowtow to sb → s'aplatir devant qn
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
kowtow
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995