What is the meaning of kowtow?

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noun

A former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission.
- synonyms: kotow

verb

Bend the knees and bow in a servile manner.
- synonyms: scrape, genuflect
Try to gain favor by cringing or flattering.
- usage: "He is always kowtowing to his boss"
- synonyms: fawn, toady, truckle, bootlick, kotow, suck up

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APA	WordNet. (2010). kowtow. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/kowtow/definitions/1219436
Chicago	WordNet. 2010. "kowtow" http://smartdefine.org/kowtow/definitions/1219436 (accessed September 20, 2026).
Harvard	WordNet 2010, kowtow, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/kowtow/definitions/1219436>.
MLA	WordNet. "kowtow" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/kowtow/definitions/1219436>

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