Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used without object)
- to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.
- to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom.
noun
- the act of kowtowing.
verb (intr)
- to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom
- (often foll by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards)
noun
- the act of kowtowing
also kow-tow, 1804, from Chinese k’o-t’ou custom of touching the ground with the forehead to show respect or submission, literally “knock the head,” from k’o “knock, bump” + t’ou “head.” The verb in the figurative sense of “act in an obsequious manner” is from 1826. Related: Kowtowed; kowtowing.