English noun: kowtow | |||
1. | kowtow (communication) a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission | ||
Synonyms | kotow | ||
Broader (hypernym) | bow, bowing, obeisance | ||
English verb: kowtow | |||
1. | kowtow (motion) bend the knees and bow in a servile manner | ||
Synonyms | genuflect, scrape | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s. Somebody ----s PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | bow | ||
2. | kowtow (communication) try to gain favor by cringing or flattering | ||
Samples | He is always kowtowing to his boss. | ||
Synonyms | bootlick, fawn, kotow, suck up, toady, truckle | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | blandish, flatter | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | court favor, court favour, curry favor, curry favour | ||