Reference meaning

kowtow

noun·Reference

Last updated

a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission

Related source terms

kotow

Other meanings

2. verb

bend the knees and bow in a servile manner

3. verb

try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Source and scope

This definition is reproduced from Princeton WordNet 3.0, sense 07275275-n, under the WordNet 3.0 License. It has not yet received VocabularyBase editorial review. Read the source and license details.