KOWTOW Meaning and
Definition
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Kowtow, originating from Chinese culture, is a verb that refers to the act of touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect or submission, especially in front of a person of higher authority, such as an emperor or leader. It is often accompanied by bending the knees and bowing deeply.
In a figurative sense, kowtow denotes a behavior or action that involves extreme subservience or deference to gain approval or favor from someone in a position of power or authority. It is synonymous with groveling, obsequiousness, or sycophancy. Someone who kowtows may excessively flatter, praise, or submit themselves to appease or gain the approval of a superior, sacrificing their own dignity or self-respect.
The term "kowtow" carries historical and cultural connotations, embodying notions of hierarchy, honor, and societal norms deeply rooted in traditional East Asian customs and protocols. It reflects the value placed on respect for authority figures and the strict adherence to social hierarchies in these cultures.
However, in modern contexts, the usage of "kowtow" often carries a negative connotation, as it implies subservience or the act of compromising one's principles or beliefs to gain personal or professional benefits. It is commonly employed to criticize individuals involved in excessive flattery or to describe actions perceived as immoderate reverence toward those in power.
Common Misspellings for KOWTOW
Etymology of KOWTOW
The word "kowtow" has its origins in Chinese. It is derived from the Chinese term "kòu tóu" (磕头), which literally means "knock head". In traditional Chinese culture, performing a kowtow involved kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect or submission. The term was later adopted into English in the early 19th century, where it came to represent an act of extreme deference or obsequiousness.
Idioms with the word KOWTOW
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kowtow to sm or sth
The idiom "kowtow to someone or something" means to show excessive respect, obedience, or submission to a person or thing, often in an exaggerated or unwarranted manner. It implies the act of bowing down or groveling before someone or something to gain favor or avoid confrontation, even if one disagrees or feels compelled to compromise their principles.
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kowtow to someone or something
To "kowtow to someone or something" means to show excessive respect or submissiveness towards them, often to gain favor or avoid punishment. It is derived from a historical Chinese practice of kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of utmost reverence or submission. In a figurative sense, it refers to an exaggerated display of deference or obedience.
Similar spelling words for KOWTOW
Conjugate verb Kowtow
CONDITIONAL
I
would kowtow
you
would kowtow
he/she/it
would kowtow
we
would kowtow
they
would kowtow
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be kowtowing
you
would be kowtowing
he/she/it
would be kowtowing
we
would be kowtowing
they
would be kowtowing
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have kowtow
you
would have kowtow
he/she/it
would have kowtow
we
would have kowtow
they
would have kowtow
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been kowtowing
you
would have been kowtowing
he/she/it
would have been kowtowing
we
would have been kowtowing
they
would have been kowtowing
FUTURE
I
will kowtow
you
will kowtow
he/she/it
will kowtow
we
will kowtow
they
will kowtow
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be kowtowing
you
will be kowtowing
he/she/it
will be kowtowing
we
will be kowtowing
they
will be kowtowing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have kowtowed
you
will have kowtowed
he/she/it
will have kowtowed
we
will have kowtowed
they
will have kowtowed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been kowtowing
you
will have been kowtowing
he/she/it
will have been kowtowing
we
will have been kowtowing
they
will have been kowtowing
IMPERATIVE
you
kowtow
we
let´s kowtow
to kowtow
PAST
I
kowtowed
you
kowtowed
he/she/it
kowtowed
we
kowtowed
they
kowtowed
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was kowtowing
you
were kowtowing
he/she/it
was kowtowing
we
were kowtowing
they
were kowtowing
PAST PARTICIPLE
kowtowed
PAST PERFECT
I
had kowtowed
you
had kowtowed
he/she/it
had kowtowed
we
had kowtowed
they
had kowtowed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been kowtowing
you
had been kowtowing
he/she/it
had been kowtowing
we
had been kowtowing
they
had been kowtowing
PRESENT
I
kowtow
you
kowtow
he/she/it
kowtows
we
kowtow
they
kowtow
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am kowtowing
you
are kowtowing
he/she/it
is kowtowing
we
are kowtowing
they
are kowtowing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
kowtowing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have kowtowed
you
have kowtowed
he/she/it
has kowtowed
we
have kowtowed
they
have kowtowed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been kowtowing
you
have been kowtowing
he/she/it
has been kowtowing
we
have been kowtowing
they
have been kowtowing
I
would have kowtowed
we
would have kowtowed
you
would have kowtowed
he/she/it
would have kowtowed
they
would have kowtowed
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