genuflect
Kneel in reverence
To genuflect is to bend the knee, especially as a gesture of reverence or worship.
Catholics genuflect when entering a pew; courtiers genuflected before monarchs.
The word extends to any exaggerated show of deference or submission: politicians genuflecting before wealthy donors, a media that genuflects to power.
Bend legs to ground
- prayerAddress to deity
- altarSacred ritual table
- pewWorship hall seating
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
devotion · piety · faith · adoration · veneration · prostration · supplication · cathedral
Respectful forward inclination
- curtseyRespectful knee-bend greeting
- nodBrief head tilt
- dipBrief immersion or condiment
- homageExpression of deep respect
obeisance · submission · kowtow · salaam · respect · tribute · acknowledgment · salute
Gentle, unassertive disposition
- modestyAbsence of vanity
- self-effacementDownplaying one's importance
- lowlinessState of modest rank
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
penitence · submissiveness · obedience · servility · abasement · supplication
kneel
Bend legs to ground
reverence · devotion · piety · faith · adoration · veneration · prostration · supplication · cathedral · church
bow
Respectful forward inclination
homage · obeisance · submission · kowtow · salaam · respect · tribute · acknowledgment · salute · recognition
meekness
Gentle, unassertive disposition
- modestyAbsence of vanity
- self-effacementDownplaying one's importance
- lowlinessState of modest rank
contrition · penitence · submissiveness · obedience · servility · abasement · supplication
- CatholicismVatican, cardinals, pope, Holy Communion, popes
- body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
- downward motionsfall, drop, descend, plunge, sink
- gesturesgesture, hand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder
- Soft G Wordsgel, gem, gene, genie, genius
- ritual gesturesprostration, bowing, kneeling, hands folded, folded hands
genuflectstand tall
Maintain dignity under pressure
rise · stand up · tower · straighten up · stand at attention
genuflection, genuflecting, genuflected, genuflects, genuflexion, genuflexions