Pronunciation: [ɒbsˈɛkwənt] (IPA) 
The word "Obsequent" is spelled with the letters O-B-S-E-Q-U-E-N-T. Using the IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled /ˈɑbsəkwənt/. The "O" is pronounced as "ah," the "B" sounds like "buh," the "S" is pronounced as "suh," the "E" sounds like "eh," the "Q" is pronounced as a hard "k," the "U" sounds like "oo," and the "N" and "T" are pronounced as normal. The word describes something that follows or comes after another thing.
Obsequent is an adjective that refers to something or someone that follows or accompanies another thing or person. It describes a behavior, action, or characteristic of being supportive, subordinate or obedient to a leader, authority, or someone in a higher position. The term is often used in the context of a person being in a subordinate position and showing loyalty or obedience towards someone with higher authority.
In a social or political setting, an obsequent individual tends to carry out the instructions or requests of a superior without question or resistance. They may display traits such as compliance, deference, or submissiveness towards those in power. This can be seen in an organization where an obsequent employee follows orders from their boss without question or controversy.
Obsequent can also pertain to someone who follows another person as a loyal companion or supporter. This could be in the form of an assistant, follower, or protege who acknowledges and actively supports the ideas, beliefs, or actions of the person they are following.
The concept of being obsequent can also extend to nature or physical phenomena. For example, in geography, the term obsequent refers to a river or stream that flows in the same general direction as a confining valley or mountain range. This term characterizes the behavior of the river as it follows the natural topography of the land, aligning its course to the dominant features of the landscape.
Overall, the term obsequent describes a state of following or accompanying, whether it be in social, political, or natural contexts, highlighting loyalty, obedience, or alignment with a certain direction or authority.
The word "obsequent" originated from the Latin word "obsequēns", which is the present participle of "obsequi", meaning "to follow" or "to comply with". The Latin term is derived from the prefix "ob-", indicating movement towards or facing something, and the verb "sequi", indicating "to follow". The term "obsequent" was later adopted into English with a similar meaning, referring to something that follows or comes after.
