kowtow
UK[ˌkaʊˈtaʊ]US[ˌkaʊˈtaʊ]
v
To act in an extremely submissive way in order to please someone in authority.
n
The act of kneeling and touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of deep respect, submission, or worship.
Etymology
The word 'kowtow' entered English in the early 19th century from the Chinese Mandarin term 'kētóu' (磕头), literally meaning "knock head." It describes the traditional Chinese act of deep respect and submission involving kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground. The term was brought to Western attention through accounts of diplomatic missions to the Qing imperial court, where the ritual was required for audiences with the Emperor. In English, it has evolved from describing this specific physical ritual to a powerful metaphor for any act of obsequious deference or fawning submission to authority.
Analysis
This word is a direct loanword from Chinese (Mandarin: 磕头, kētóu). It is not productively formed from separable English morphemes. The Chinese compound itself consists of 磕 (kē, "to knock") and 头 (tóu, "head").
Examples
He refused to kowtow to the demands of the corrupt officials.
The historical practice of the kowtow was a central feature of imperial Chinese protocol.
She accused the company of kowtowing to pressure from its largest shareholder.