kow·tow (kou-tou′, kou′tou′) intr.v. kow·towed, kow·tow·ing, kow·tows 1. To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship, or submission, as formerly done in China.
What is the origin of the word 'tow'?
Auflage, Wiesbaden, 2001. Note: The Middle English word has been associated with Old English tow-, which appears as the initial element of a series of compounds: towcræft "spinning," towhūs "building or room for spinning," towlic "used for spinning," towtōl "spinning implement."
What does kowtow mean?
(kou-tou′, kou′tou′) intr.v. kow·towed, kow·tow·ing, kow·tows. 1. To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship, or submission, as formerly done in China.
What is a kowtow used for in China?
In Sinospheric culture, the kowtow is the highest sign of reverence. It was widely used to show reverence for one's elders, superiors, and especially the Emperor of China, as well as for religious and cultural objects of worship. In modern times, usage of the kowtow has been reduced.
Is it cow tail or cow-TOW?
You can tow a cow to water, but you can't make it drink. But the word that means bowing worshipfully before someone comes from the Chinese words for knocking one's head on the ground, and is spelled kowtow.
Is it kowtow or kowtow?
A kowtow /ˈkaʊtaʊ/ is the act of deep respect shown by prostration, that is, kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground. In Sinospheric culture, the kowtow is the highest sign of reverence.
Can you say kowtow?
The word is pronounced 'cow-TOW' with the stress on the second syllable. It is mostly used to show disapproval. When you 'kowtow' to someone in authority, you do everything you can to please him.
What is kowtow literally?
knock the headKowtow is derived from the Chinese word k'o-t'ou, which literally means “knock the head.” As a verb, kowtow has the sense of “sucking up” or "flattering." Maybe you're wondering when it would be appropriate to kowtow.
What is the meaning of kow tow?
kowtow. Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 21, 2019 is: kowtow \KOW-tow\ verb. 1 : to show obsequious deference : fawn. 2 : to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect.
How do you tow a Kow?
2:546:25It follows the same male left female right custom. So men keep their left hand on outside and womenMoreIt follows the same male left female right custom. So men keep their left hand on outside and women to the opposite.
Is kowtow ethical?
Kowtow garments are certified by non-profit internationally recognised organisations. Independent audits and accreditation bodies ensure we remain true to our values. We support fair wages, no child labor, gender equality & grower community.
Is kowtow Japanese?
The term is used in Japanese politics such as "dogeza-gaikō" (土下座外交) which is translated to "kowtow diplomacy" or "kowtow foreign policy". In general, dogeza is translated into English as "prostration" or "kowtow".
How do you use kowtow in a sentence?
Kowtow in a Sentence 🔉The dictator beheaded the man who refused to kowtow to him by kissing his feet.If Jason does not kowtow to the boss, he will never get a promotion at work.My chauvinistic husband divorced me because I would not kowtow to his every whim.More items...
How do you pronounce kow tow?
Kowtow is pronounced "Ko - Toe" as opposed to "Cow - Tow". What does Kowtow mean? Kowtow is a Chinese word that represents the custom of deep respect, shown by kneeling and bowing so low that your forehead touches the ground.
What is kowtow in Chinese?
kowtow, also spelled kotow, Chinese (Pinyin) keitou or (Wade-Giles romanization) k'o-t'ou, in traditional China, the act of supplication made by an inferior to his superior by kneeling and knocking his head to the floor.
How do you pronounce kowtow in Chinese?
0:040:20Tchau tchau tchau tchau tchau tchau tchau tchau thanks for watching if. You like this video pleaseMoreTchau tchau tchau tchau tchau tchau tchau tchau thanks for watching if. You like this video please subscribe to our channel and help us pronounce.
What is the meaning of "kowtow"?
Kowtow originated as a noun referring to the act of kneeling and touching one's head to the ground as a salute or act of worship to a revered authority. In traditional China this ritual was performed by commoners making requests to the local magistrate, by the emperor to the shrine of Confucius, or by foreign representatives appearing before ...
What is a kowtow in a sentence?
Examples of kowtow in a Sentence. Verb you can try kowtowing to the boss, but he'll see right through you. Recent Examples on the Web: Verb And she was indeed defined by a steely independent streak that did not kowtow to outsiders, whether established civil rights figures or the leader of the free world.
Where did the word "kowtow" come from?
The word kowtow derives from Chinese "koutou," formed by combining the verb "kou" ("to knock") with the noun "tou" ("head"). The noun had arrived in English by 1804, and the earliest evidence for the verb dates from 1826.
What does "kowtow" mean for kids?
Kids Definition of kowtow. : to obey a person in a position of power in a way that seems weak : show overly respectful attention "And don't expect me to kowtow to you, mortal, just because old Barnacle-Beard is your father.". — Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief.
What does "kowtow" mean?
kowtow in American English. (ˈkaʊˌtaʊ ) noun. 1. the act of kneeling and touching the ground with the forehead to show great deference, submissive respect, homage, etc., as formerly in China. verb intransitive. 2. to perform a kowtow. 3.
What does it mean when someone kowtows to someone else?
If you say that someone kowtows to someone else, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to obey or be polite to someone in authority . See how stupidly they kow-tow to persons higher in the hierarchy. [VERB + to] COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers.
When did the word "kowtow" come into use?
The word "kowtow" came into English in the early 19th century to describe the bow itself, but its meaning soon shifted to describe any abject submission or groveling. The term is still commonly used in English with this meaning, disconnected from the physical act and the East Asian context.
What is the practice of kowtow?
Prostration is a general practice in Buddhism, and not restricted to China. The kowtow is often performed in groups of three before Buddhist statues and images or tombs of the dead. In Buddhism it is more commonly termed either "worship with the crown (of the head)" (頂禮 ding li) or "casting the five limbs to the earth" (五體投地 wuti tou di)—referring to the two arms, two legs and forehead. For example, in certain ceremonies, a person would perform a sequence of three sets of three kowtows—stand up and kneel down again between each set—as an extreme gesture of respect; hence the term three kneelings and nine head knockings ( 三跪九叩之禮 [ zh] ). Also, some Buddhist pilgrims would kowtow once for every three steps made during their long journeys, the number three referring to the Triple Gem of Buddhism, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Prostration is widely practiced in India by Hindus to give utmost respect to their deities in temples and to parents and elders. Nowadays in modern times people show the regards to elders by bowing down and touching their feet.
What is the kowtow ceremony?
In the most solemn of ceremonies, for example at the coronation of a new Emperor, the Emperor's subjects would undertake the ceremony of the "three kneelings and nine kowtows", the so-called grand kowtow, which involves kneeling from a standing position three times, and each time, performing the kowtow three times while kneeling. Immanuel Hsu describes the "full kowtow" as "three kneelings and nine knockings of the head on the ground".
Is the kowtow still used?
The kowtow, and other traditional forms of reverence, were much maligned after the May Fourth Movement. Today , only vestiges of the traditional usage of the kowtow remain. In many situations, the standing bow has replaced the kowtow.
Examples of tow in a Sentence
Verb The car was towed to the nearest garage after the accident. The police towed my car because it was parked illegally.
History and Etymology for tow
Middle English towen "to pull, tug, haul," going back to Old English togian, going back to Germanic *togōjan- (whence also Old Frisian togia "to haul away," Old High German zogōn "to obtain," Old Icelandic toga "to draw, pull"), weak-verb derivative from zero-grade of *teuhan- "to draw, pull," a strong verb (whence Old English tēon, past tēah, tugon, past participle togen "to pull, draw, entice, bring up, educate," Old Frisian tiā "to draw, pull, educate," Old Saxon tiohan "to pull, haul, rear," Old High German ziohan "to pull, lead, rear, foster," Old Icelandic toginn "drawn [of a sword]," Gothic tiuhan "to lead, bring"), going back to an Indo-European verbal base *deu̯k-, whence also Welsh dygaf " (I) bring, lead" (verbal noun dwyn ), Latin dūcō, dūcere "to lead, conduct, draw, pull (of draught animals)".
Kids Definition of tow
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Where did the kow-tow move originate?
Inspired by the Chinese tradition of kow-towing before the Emperor, the kow-tow move was invented on the East Coast and involves first bending backwards and then forwards with your arms bent at the elbows and parallel to your body (much like when the police tell you to "put your hands in the air").
What does it mean to bow deeply?
To bow deeply with one's head touching the ground. This act of respect is mostly done out of fear, the fear of death or torture. If the situation is tense, it is best to kowtow, and try to gain the smile of the Queen.