genuflect

[ jen-yoo-flekt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to bend the knee or touch one knee to the floor in reverence or worship.
2. to express a servile attitude.

genuflect

/ ˈdʒɛnjʊˌflɛkt /

verb

1. to act in a servile or deferential manner
2. RC Church to bend one or both knees as a sign of reverence, esp when passing before the Blessed Sacrament

Derived Forms

• ˌgenuˈflection, noun
• ˈgenuˌflector, noun

Other Words From

• genu·flector noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of genuflect¹

1620–30; < Medieval Latin genūflectere to bend the knee, equivalent to Latin genū-, stem of genu knee + flectere to bend

Word History and Origins

Origin of genuflect¹

C17: from Medieval Latin genūflectere, from Latin genu knee + flectere to bend

Example Sentences

Their private "meetings with no notes" and Trump's embarrassing public genuflecting to the Russian leader over the years had been fully reported.

From Salon

Harris has benefited greatly from her overnight installation as the Democratic nominee, which spared her the need to genuflect so conspicuously to the political left.

From Los Angeles Times

He prefers the illusion of power offered by genuflecting yes-men over the hard work involved in gaining real power and exercising it.

From Salon

For all of underground music’s genuflecting to progressive values, Zulu asks for a lot of self-reflection from its audience.

From Los Angeles Times

As the Washington Post's media reporter put it: "Everyone is genuflecting before the Pentagon powerhouse… America's new rock star."

From Salon