KOWTOWS Meaning and
Definition
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Kowtow is a verb that originates from the Chinese language, specifically the Mandarin term kòutóu (磕头). The literal meaning of kowtow in Chinese is "knock head," and it refers to the act of touching one's forehead to the ground in a gesture of deep respect or submission. In a broader sense, when someone kowtows, it means they are demonstrating excessive or exaggerated deference towards another person or authority figure.
Figuratively, kowtow signifies extreme subservience, groveling, or obsequious behavior towards someone of higher rank, power, or authority. It implies the complete abandonment of personal dignity and integrity to appease or gain favor from the recipient of the kowtowing. Kowtowing often involves bowing low, kneeling, and even crawling on one's hands and knees, exemplifying a total surrender of individual autonomy.
The term "kowtow" has transcended its cultural origins and is now commonly used in English to describe someone who is excessively deferential, servile, or sycophantic. It can also refer to an action that is seen as excessively fawning or submissive.
Overall, kowtow signifies a profound level of respect, submission, or subservience towards a higher authority. Its usage has expanded to encompass not only the physical act of prostration but also a metaphorical concept of consistently yielding to the wishes or demands of another individual or group.
Common Misspellings for KOWTOWS
Etymology of KOWTOWS
The word "kowtow" is derived from the Mandarin Chinese term "kòutóu" (磕头), which consists of two characters: "kòu" (磕) meaning "knock" or "bump" and "tóu" (头) meaning "head". In Chinese culture, the act of kowtowing involves touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect, submission, or supplication. The word "kowtow" was first introduced to the English language in the early 19th century through interactions and cultural exchanges with China. Over time, it has come to be used metaphorically to describe excessive or exaggerated deference.
Similar spelling words for KOWTOWS
Conjugate verb Kowtows
CONDITIONAL
I
would kowtow
we
would kowtow
you
would kowtow
he/she/it
would kowtow
they
would kowtow
FUTURE
I
will kowtow
we
will kowtow
you
will kowtow
he/she/it
will kowtow
they
will kowtow
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have kowtowed
we
will have kowtowed
you
will have kowtowed
he/she/it
will have kowtowed
they
will have kowtowed
PAST
I
kowtowed
we
kowtowed
you
kowtowed
he/she/it
kowtowed
they
kowtowed
PAST PERFECT
I
had kowtowed
we
had kowtowed
you
had kowtowed
he/she/it
had kowtowed
they
had kowtowed
PRESENT
I
kowtow
we
kowtow
you
kowtow
he/she/it
kowtows
they
kowtow
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have kowtowed
we
have kowtowed
you
have kowtowed
he/she/it
has kowtowed
they
have kowtowed
I
am kowtowing
we
are kowtowing
you
are kowtowing
he/she/it
is kowtowing
they
are kowtowing
I
was kowtowing
we
were kowtowing
you
were kowtowing
he/she/it
was kowtowing
they
were kowtowing
I
will be kowtowing
we
will be kowtowing
you
will be kowtowing
he/she/it
will be kowtowing
they
will be kowtowing
I
have been kowtowing
we
have been kowtowing
you
have been kowtowing
he/she/it
has been kowtowing
they
have been kowtowing
I
had been kowtowing
we
had been kowtowing
you
had been kowtowing
he/she/it
had been kowtowing
they
had been kowtowing
I
will have been kowtowing
we
will have been kowtowing
you
will have been kowtowing
he/she/it
will have been kowtowing
they
will 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
I
would be kowtowing
we
would be kowtowing
you
would be kowtowing
he/she/it
would be kowtowing
they
would be kowtowing
I
would have been kowtowing
we
would have been kowtowing
you
would have been kowtowing
he/she/it
would have been kowtowing
they
would have been kowtowing
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