Etymology dictionary. 2014.
Obeisance — O*bei sance, n. [F. ob[ e]issance obedience, fr. ob[ e]issant. See {Obey}, and cf. {Obedience}, {Abaisance}.] 1. Obedience. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. Deference or homage, or an expression of deference or respect; a bow; a curtsy. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
obeisance — index conformity (obedience), homage, honor (outward respect), prostration, respect Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
obeisance — deference, homage, *honor, reverence Analogous words: allegiance, fealty, loyalty, *fidelity: respect, esteem, *regard: veneration, reverence (see under REVERE) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
obeisance — means ‘homage, submission’, and is pronounced oh bay sǝns … Modern English usage
obeisance — [n] salutation allegiance, bending of the knee*, bow, curtsy, deference, fealty, genuflection, homage, honor, kowtow*, loyalty, praise, respect, reverence, salaam*; concepts 154,384 Ant. bad manners, disobedience, disregard, disrespect … New thesaurus
obeisance — ► NOUN 1) deferential respect or homage. 2) a gesture expressing this, such as a bow. DERIVATIVES obeisant adjective. ORIGIN Old French obeissance, from obeir obey … English terms dictionary
obeisance — [ō bā′səns, ōbē′səns] n. [ME obeisaunce < OFr obeissance < obeissant, prp. of obeir,OBEY] 1. a gesture of respect or reverence, such as a bow or curtsy 2. the attitude shown by this; homage; deference obeisant adj … English World dictionary
obeisance — noun Etymology: Middle English obeisaunce obedience, obeisance, from Anglo French obeisance, from obeissant, present participle of obeir to obey Date: 14th century 1. a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission ; bow 2.… … New Collegiate Dictionary
obeisance — [[t]oʊbe͟ɪsəns[/t]] obeisances 1) N UNCOUNT: usu N to n Obeisance to someone or something is great respect shown for them. [FORMAL] While he was still young and strong all paid obeisance to him. 2) N VAR An obeisance is a physical gesture,… … English dictionary
obeisance — o|bei|sance [əuˈbeısəns US ou ] n [U and C] literary [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: obeir; OBEY] respect and obedience to someone or something, often shown by bending your head or the upper part of your body make/pay obeisance (to… … Dictionary of contemporary English
