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obeisance

noun · Level 4 · Expert

What does obeisance mean?

obeisance (noun): demonstration of an obedient attitude, especially by bowing deeply; a deep bow which demonstrates such an attitude.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where does obeisance come from?

From Middle English obeisaunce (“obedience, obeisance”), from Old French obeïssance, derived from obeïssant (“obedient”), participle of obeïr (“to obey”).

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What are synonyms of obeisance?

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “obeisance”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “obeisance” mean?

a predisposition or natural inclination, propensity, or a predilection; especially, a strong disposition or bent

Not quite: that's what proclivity means.

an entry into a place or area that was previously uncommon; an advance beyond former borders; intrusion; incursion

Not quite: that's what encroachment means.

the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do

Not quite: that's what jurisprudence means.

demonstration of an obedient attitude, especially by bowing deeply; a deep bow which demonstrates such an attitude

Right! That's what “obeisance” means.

Which word is closest in meaning to “obeisance”?

plight

Not quite: plight means something else.

bowing

Right!

martyr

Not quite: martyr means something else.

trance

Not quite: trance means something else.

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