hand-kiss
Chivalric lip gesture
A hand-kiss is a gesture of greeting or respect in which one person takes another's hand and touches it to their lips.
Traditionally a man kissing a woman's hand, it survives mainly in formal European contexts and period dramas: He gave her a hand-kiss before departing.
The verb form follows naturally: He hand-kissed the duchess.
Expression of deep respect
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- admirationDeep respect felt
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
tribute · honor · devotion · respect · allegiance · loyalty · obeisance · genuflection
Prescribed conduct rules
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
convention · tact · comportment · grace · refinement · sophistication · breeding · civility
Expression of goodwill
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- curtsyRespectful knee-bending gesture
- gestureCommunicative body movement
acknowledgment · reception · presentation · introduction · formal greeting · arrival · audience · meeting
homage
Expression of deep respect
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- admirationDeep respect felt
- venerationProfound admiring respect
esteem · tribute · honor · devotion · respect · allegiance · loyalty · obeisance · genuflection · submission
protocol
Prescribed conduct rules
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
politeness · convention · tact · comportment · grace · refinement · sophistication · breeding · civility · poise
salutation
Expression of goodwill
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- curtsyRespectful knee-bending gesture
gesture · acknowledgment · reception · presentation · introduction · formal greeting · arrival · audience · meeting · encounter
courtly
Refined and dignified
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- knighthoodHonorary title of nobility
- nobilityTitled ruling class
gentlemanly · fealty · squire · medieval · lady · vassal · joust · paladin · champion · quest
affection
Warm emotional attachment
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
amour · wooing · tenderness · devotion · adoration · seduction · suitor · beloved · ardor · gallant
hand-kissroyal wave
Monarch's public hand gesture
head pat · laying on of hands · prostration · kowtow · forehead touch
hand-kissFrench kiss
Deep, open-mouthed romantic contact
neck kiss · passionate embrace · cheek peck · air kiss · forehead kiss
hand, kiss, hands, handed, handing, handy, handful, handsome, kisses