noun
a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
verb
to act in an excessively subservient manner
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The ambassador was expected to kowtow to the king as a sign of respect.
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I refuse to kowtow to unreasonable demands from my boss.
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Don't kowtow to anyone just to fit in.
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She refused to kowtow to societal norms and lived life on her own terms.