kowtow

Meanings

• noun

  an act of deep respect, typically involving prostration and kissing the ground or the hands of someone considered superior

  - "He performed a kowtow to the emperor."
  - "The ambassadors were expected to make a kowtow to the king."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈkaʊˌtaʊ/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75804236"
2. /ˈkaʊˌtaʊ/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1329064"

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Variants

List of all variants of kowtow that leads to same result
kowtow , kowtowed , kowtowing , kowtows

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originated from Chinese culture, where it was an act of deep respect towards the emperor or other high-ranking officials.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'kowtow' comes from the Chinese word 'kautao', which means 'to knock one's head against the ground'.

2. The kowtow was a common practice in Chinese culture until the late 19th century, when it was abolished by the Chinese emperor.

3. In modern times, the kowtow is mostly seen as a symbol of subservience and is not practiced in China anymore.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. prostration: An act of showing deep respect or reverence by kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In Chinese culture, the kowtow was a traditional act of respect towards the emperor or other high-ranking officials. It involved prostrating oneself on the ground and touching one's forehead to the ground or the hands of the person being respected.

How to Memorize "kowtow"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize someone performing a kowtow, with their body prostrated on the ground and their forehead touching the ground or the hands of the person they are respecting.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'kowtow' with the idea of deep respect and reverence.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic by remembering that 'kowtow' starts with the same sound as 'kow' as in 'kowabunga' and 'tow' as in 'towel'. This can help you remember the meaning of the word.

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