CURTSY Meaning and
Definition
-
Curtsy is a noun and a verb that refers to a formal and polite gesture of respect, primarily made by women. As a gesture, it involves bending the knees and lowering the body slightly while usually placing one foot behind the other, typically accompanied by a slight inclination of the head.
In social settings, such as formal events, receptions, or royal courts, a curtsy is often performed by women to show deference or reverence to a superior or someone deserving of respect, such as royalty, esteemed guests, or elders. It is considered a mark of politeness, grace, and proper etiquette in many cultures and social environments.
The curtsy is characterized by its elegant and subtle nature, aiming to convey respect without appearing subservient. The duration and depth of the curtsy can vary depending on the specific context, cultural norms, and personal preferences. The gesture is often accompanied by a smile, maintaining eye contact, and sometimes by placing one's hands in a specific position, such as clasping them in front or draping them on the side of the body.
Historically, curtsying was also used as a symbolic way to demonstrate loyalty and submission to rulers or nobility. However, in modern times, it has mostly evolved into a traditional display of respect and courtesy that is upheld in certain formal situations.
-
A woman's or girl's act of reverence or respect; a woman's salutation of respect by slightly bending the knees and inclining the body forwards.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for CURTSY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CURTSY
Etymology of CURTSY
The word "curtsy" has its origins in Middle English and comes from the Old French term "courtesie", which meant "a mark of respect". The Old French term was derived from the Latin word "cortesia", meaning "courtesy" or "behavior befitting a court". The word "courtesy" originally referred to the behavior or manners associated with the courtly culture and the nobility. Over time, "curtsy" specifically came to denote the act of a woman or girl bending her knees and lowering her body slightly in a gesture of respect or deference, particularly when greeting or showing respect to someone of higher social status.
Idioms with the word CURTSY
-
curtsy to sm
The idiom "curtsy to someone" means to show deference, respect, or submission towards a person, usually someone in a position of authority or power. It originates from the traditional act of curtsying, which involves a slight bending of the knees and a gesture of respect performed by women, particularly in royal or formal settings. In a figurative sense, "curtsy to someone" implies acknowledging the superiority or hierarchy of another person and behaving subserviently towards them.
-
curtsy to (one)
The idiom "curtsy to (one)" refers to showing respect, admiration, or deference towards someone or submitting to their authority or demands. It implies acknowledging their superiority or position of power and often involves behaving obediently or submissively. This idiom is symbolic of performing a curtsy, which is a formal gesture of respect usually done by women or girls, involving bending the knees and lowering the body briefly.
-
curtsy to someone
The idiom "curtsy to someone" means to show respect, deference, or submission to a person of higher authority or social status, often by making a formal and respectful gesture, such as a curtsy. It can also refer to acknowledging someone's superiority or giving them special treatment.
Similar spelling words for CURTSY
- keywords,
- Quirites,
- Carrots,
- re-cords,
- meet-and-greets,
- curtisii,
- curettes,
- caryotas,
- Kortes,
- CGRADS,
- gartz,
- chordaceae,
- Cardias,
- ex-cretes,
- dis-cards,
- gurdas,
- babel-quartz,
- gardes,
- karaites,
- garrote-garrottes,
- CORTS,
- CORTAS,
- Curtice,
- dis-cords,
- cardiss,
- kerteszia,
- carduus,
- yellow-quartz,
- curteis,
- creeds,
- gourds,
- re-gards,
- qwartz,
- gortys,
- Kurtiss,
- CHRTS,
- kardos,
- go-karts,
- Quartos,
- karatsu,
- Kortez,
- Gordiacea,
- CRTOS,
- cardozo,
- CARTIS,
- gredos,
- garottes,
- grots,
- keyrates,
- karats,
- milk-quartz,
- CCRD'S,
- quirts,
- CROIDS,
- cardus,
- GRIDS,
- Karatas,
- grotius,
- grates,
- goeritz,
- creates,
- curtisia,
- courtesy,
- grahts,
- Keratosa,
- Courts-martial,
- CRTISO,
- krauts,
- caryatis,
- EW-CRDS,
- groats,
- corridos,
- vocal-cords,
- cordtz,
- kreutz,
- post-cards,
- carryouts,
- gardezi,
- Choroids,
- wedding-cards,
- curtiss-wright,
- gritos,
- kratos,
- carides,
- Kraits,
- cowards,
- cords,
- CREDAS,
- kartuzy,
- curtiss,
- Cordiss,
- carts,
- GRODS,
- cretz,
- curtis,
- gourdes,
- cartas,
- act-courtesy,
- curtesy,
- gurwitz,
- gratis,
- cowherds,
- in-grates,
- cardoso,
- curates,
- cuts,
- curtius,
- kiratas,
- up-grades,
- greets,
- CARATS,
- Guards,
- credos,
- cards,
- caretas,
- koretz,
- gurewitz,
- garretts,
- CRRTS,
- guardias,
- gordes,
- kertesz,
- Kurtis,
- garrotes,
- curtsey,
- avant-gardes,
- retro-grades,
- qwertz,
- Gurts,
- keiretsu,
- gerdts,
- cardoza,
- kretz,
- guardhouse,
- CRATIS,
- Keratose,
- cortesi,
- pro-creates,
- cuerdas,
- grayouts,
- dis-creates,
- e-cards,
- Cordis,
- cruddas,
- grouts,
- grottos,
- gertz,
- gordius,
- goertz,
- creutz,
- cartes,
- curtiz,
- courts,
- grits,
- Corti's,
- croods,
- cruets,
- carretas,
- cortese,
- gradius,
- quarts,
- garrets,
- curteus,
- gardez,
- over-crowds,
- quartz-porphyry,
- kritz,
- Gyrodus,
- karates,
- quartus,
- quartz-rock,
- cordes,
- Cretose,
- corrodes,
- crowds,
- Curtes,
- cortez,
- Gradus,
- re-creates,
- GRADS-DODS,
- kouretes,
- Curtisa,
- kratts,
- Cowardize,
- gordias,
- choriotis,
- in-crowds,
- CURTS,
- graetz,
- CRTs,
- Quartzy,
- dis-grades,
- cortes,
- un-crates,
- grades,
- chords,
- HCRTS,
- gratus,
- Cordas,
- Grottoes,
- de-grades,
- kuretes,
- crowdies,
- gerets,
- gordis,
- kurds,
- crates,
- dis-courteous,
- go-carts,
- playing-cards,
- quartz,
- gradis,
- CURDS,
- Keratoze,
- cardhouse,
- Cardiace,
- cowardice,
- gerdes,
- karadassiou,
- Croats,
- karts,
- dis-courtesy,
- GRADS,
- gyrates,
- corridas,
- courteous,
- CARITAS,
- saint-trivier-de-courtes,
- kurtas,
- Kurtz,
- griots,
- karadas,
- greats,
- krotz,
- gritz,
- courtice,
- kertas,
- crudes.
Conjugate verb Curtsy
CONDITIONAL
I
would curtsy
you
would curtsy
he/she/it
would curtsy
we
would curtsy
they
would curtsy
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be curtsying
you
would be curtsying
he/she/it
would be curtsying
we
would be curtsying
they
would be curtsying
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have curtsy
you
would have curtsy
he/she/it
would have curtsy
we
would have curtsy
they
would have curtsy
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been curtsying
you
would have been curtsying
he/she/it
would have been curtsying
we
would have been curtsying
they
would have been curtsying
FUTURE
I
will curtsy
you
will curtsy
he/she/it
will curtsy
we
will curtsy
they
will curtsy
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be curtsying
you
will be curtsying
he/she/it
will be curtsying
we
will be curtsying
they
will be curtsying
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have curtsied
you
will have curtsied
he/she/it
will have curtsied
we
will have curtsied
they
will have curtsied
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been curtsying
you
will have been curtsying
he/she/it
will have been curtsying
we
will have been curtsying
they
will have been curtsying
IMPERATIVE
you
curtsy
we
let´s curtsy
to curtsy
PAST
I
curtsied
you
curtsied
he/she/it
curtsied
we
curtsied
they
curtsied
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was curtsying
you
were curtsying
he/she/it
was curtsying
we
were curtsying
they
were curtsying
PAST PARTICIPLE
curtsied
PAST PERFECT
I
had curtsied
you
had curtsied
he/she/it
had curtsied
we
had curtsied
they
had curtsied
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been curtsying
you
had been curtsying
he/she/it
had been curtsying
we
had been curtsying
they
had been curtsying
PRESENT
I
curtsy
you
curtsy
he/she/it
curtsies
we
curtsy
they
curtsy
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am curtsying
you
are curtsying
he/she/it
is curtsying
we
are curtsying
they
are curtsying
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
curtsying
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have curtsied
you
have curtsied
he/she/it
has curtsied
we
have curtsied
they
have curtsied
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been curtsying
you
have been curtsying
he/she/it
has been curtsying
we
have been curtsying
they
have been curtsying
I
would have curtsied
we
would have curtsied
you
would have curtsied
he/she/it
would have curtsied
they
would have curtsied
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website: