Obeisance

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /oʊˈbeɪsəns/

Definitions of obeisance

noun a gesture of respect or reverence, such as a bow or curtsy

Example Sentences

A1 She made a small obeisance to the king before presenting him with a gift.

A2 The students showed obeisance to their teacher by bowing before entering the classroom.

B1 In some cultures, obeisance is a common way to show respect to elders.

B2 The ambassador performed an obeisance to the foreign dignitary as a sign of diplomacy.

C1 The ceremony included a traditional obeisance to the ancestors of the tribe.

C2 The knight knelt in obeisance before the queen, pledging his loyalty and service.

Examples of obeisance in a Sentence

formal The servant made obeisance to the king before presenting the royal decree.

informal She nodded in obeisance to show her respect for the elderly woman.

slang He gave a quick obeisance to the teacher before rushing out of the classroom.

figurative The company's decision to follow the new industry regulations was a form of obeisance to avoid penalties.

Grammatical Forms of obeisance

past tense

obeyed

plural

obeisances

comparative

more obeisant

superlative

most obeisant

present tense

obeys

future tense

will obey

perfect tense

has obeyed

continuous tense

is obeying

singular

obeisance

positive degree

obeisant

infinitive

to obey

gerund

obeying

participle

obeyed

Origin and Evolution of obeisance

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'obeisance' originated from the Old French word 'obeyssance' which came from the Latin word 'obedientia' meaning obedience.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to signify a gesture of respect or submission, the word 'obeisance' has evolved over time to also denote a formal acknowledgment or homage, especially towards a superior or authority figure.