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   kowtow

   /ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/

   verb

   • 1. act in an excessively subservient manner: "she didn't have to kowtow to a boss" Similar grovelbehave obsequiouslybe obsequiousbe servilebe sycophanticfawn onbow and scrapetoadytruckleabase oneselfhumble oneselfprostrate oneselfcurry favour withflattercourtwoodance attendance onmake up toplay up toingratiate oneself withinformal:crawlcreepsuck up tobrown-nosebutter upbe all overfall all overlick someone's bootssmoodge toarchaic:blandish
   • 2. kneel and touch the ground with the forehead in worship or submission as part of Chinese custom. historical Similar prostrate oneselfbowbow down beforegenuflectdo/make obeisancefall on one's knees beforeget down on one's knees beforekneel beforesalaamthrow oneself at someone's feetfall down before someonecurtsybow and scrapepay homageshow reverenceshow deferencehumble oneself before someoneworship

   noun

   • 1. an act of kowtowing as part of Chinese custom. historical

   Word Origin early 19th century: from Chinese kētóu, from kē ‘knock’ + tóu ‘head’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. kowtower noun

   Scrabble Points: 16

   • K

     5

   • O

     1

   • W

     4

   • T

     1

   • O

     1

   • W

     4

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