obeisance

[ oh-bey-suhns, oh-bee- ]

noun

1. a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy, or other similar gesture.
2. deference or homage:

   The nobles gave obeisance to the new king.

obeisance

/ əʊˈbeɪsəns; əʊˈbiː- /

noun

1. an attitude of deference or homage
2. a gesture expressing obeisance

Derived Forms

• oˈbeisant, adjective
• oˈbeisantly, adverb

Other Words From

• o·beisant adjective
• o·beisant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of obeisance¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of obeisance¹

C14: from Old French obéissant, present participle of obéir to obey

Example Sentences

They were flesh-and-blood human beings, fallible like all of us, and nowhere were these imperfections more apparent than in their obeisance to neoliberalism — that is, free-market capitalism.

From Salon

But “Saturday Night” and the “Ghostbusters” reboots show an obeisance to his father’s legacy that represents a step backward.

From Los Angeles Times

But its apparent obeisance to a few thousand of America's wealthiest producers in the commodity crop business, while cutting food aid and conservation funding, has also drawn criticism from both left and right.

From Salon

A little further along the corridor, hurrying to pay obeisance, was Rodrygo, another of Pérez’s employees.

From New York Times

It follows that anyone who does not bow down mindlessly in obeisance to them is evil, and must be purged, for society to be cleansed, to usher in the “Great Leap Forward” or “Thousand Year Reich.”

From Salon