obeisance

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

/ oʊˈbeɪ səns, oʊˈbi- /

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See synonyms for: obeisance / obeisant on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

deference or homage: The nobles gave obeisance to the new king.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of obeisance

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

OTHER WORDS FROM obeisance

o·bei·sant, adjectiveo·bei·sant·ly, adverb

Words nearby obeisance

obedience training, obedience trial, obedient, obedientiary, obedient plant, obeisance, obelia, obelisk, obelize, obelus, obento

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use obeisance in a sentence

He has dipped his fingers into businesses ranging from pharmaceuticals and cement to agriculture – all while paying obeisance to Assad.
No Change for Syria, Despite Elections|Sean Culligan|May 27, 2021|Ozy
As a final obeisance, he closes his eyes and joins his palms.
When a Body Meets a Boatman on the Ganges|Eugene Robinson|February 23, 2021|Ozy
For those on the way up, FitzPatrick was someone to whom it was useful to pay obeisance.
The Men Who Killed the Economy|Niall Stanage|November 19, 2010|DAILY BEAST
"Gentlemen, I have the honour to salute you," said Monsieur de Kerguel with a profound obeisance.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

For many a day afterwards my cheek glowed with pleasure at the recollection of that sweet obeisance.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Little deaf and dumb used to come under my window, smiled, and made his obeisance to me.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment|Silvio Pellico
The king rose in his stirrups, and made a low obeisance to the window where they were standing.
The Children of the New Forest|Captain Marryat
Her voice had the soft, purring quality in it again, and she lowered her head in the mute Malay obeisance.
The Argus Pheasant|John Charles Beecham

British Dictionary definitions for obeisance

obeisance

/ (əʊˈbeɪsəns, əʊˈbiː-) /

noun

an attitude of deference or homage

a gesture expressing obeisance

Derived forms of obeisance

obeisant, adjectiveobeisantly, adverb

Word Origin for obeisance

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

obeisance

Origin of obeisance

OTHER WORDS FROM obeisance

Words nearby obeisance

Words related to obeisance

How to use obeisance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obeisance

Derived forms of obeisance

Word Origin for obeisance