obeisant
Definition
- Adjective:
- Showing deference or respect: "obeisant" describes a person who is obedient, respectful, or submissive, often in a formal or ceremonial manner.
- Characterized by homage: It implies a posture or attitude of humble reverence, akin to bowing or showing dutiful compliance.
Usage Examples
- (They showed formal respect and submission.)
- (She displayed respectful deference through a gesture.)
- (They are instructed to show obedient respect.)
Advanced Usage
"to be obeisant to someone": to act in a submissively respectful manner toward a person.
- The servant was always obeisant to his master’s commands. (He followed orders with humble deference.)
"obeisant posture": a physical stance of bowing or lowering the head to show respect.
- The monk assumed an obeisant posture before the altar. (He bowed his head and body in reverence.)
Variants and Related Words
Obeisance (noun): a gesture or act of respectful submission, such as a bow or curtsy.
- He made a deep obeisance to the emperor. (He performed a formal bow as a sign of respect.)
Obeisantly (adverb): in a manner showing deference or respect.
- She spoke obeisantly, keeping her eyes lowered. (She addressed the elder with humble respect.)
Synonyms
- Deferential: showing polite respect.
- Submissive: willing to obey or yield to authority.
- Reverent: feeling or showing deep respect, often for something sacred.
Related Idioms
To make one's obeisance: to perform a formal gesture of respect (archaic or formal).
- The knights made their obeisance before the queen. (They bowed or knelt as a sign of loyalty.)
To be at someone's beck and call: to be constantly ready to obey someone (similar in meaning to obeisant).
- He was always at his boss's beck and call, never questioning orders. (He was unwaveringly obedient.)