Kotow

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Kotow \Ko*tow"\, n. [Chinese, knock head.]
     Same as {kowtow}, the more common spellings. [China] [Also
     spelled {kowtow}.] --S. W. Williams.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:



  Kotow \Ko*tow"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Kotowed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Kotowing}.]
     1. To perform the kotow. Now usually spelled {kowtow}. [Also
        spelled {kowtow}.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To defer to another in a servile or humiliating manner; to
        act obsequiously.
        [PJC]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Kowtow \Kow*tow"\, n. [Chinese, knock head.]
     The prostration made by mandarins and others to their
     superiors, either as homage or worship, by knocking the
     forehead on the ground; same as {Kotow}. There are degrees in
     the rite, the highest being expressed by three knockings.
     [China] [Also spelled {kotow}.] --S. W. Williams.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  kotow
       n : a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the
           forehead as a sign of respect or submission [syn: {kowtow}]
       v : try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always
           kowtowing to his boss" [syn: {fawn}, {toady}, {truckle},
           {bootlick}, {kowtow}, {suck up}]