curtsey

Plural: curtseys, curtsies

Noun

• bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women
• A small bow, generally performed by a woman or a girl, where she crosses the shin of one leg behind the calf of her other leg and briefly bends her knees to lower her body in deference.

Verb

Verb Forms: curtseyed, curtseying, curtseys

• To perform a formal bow, typically by women, as a sign of respect.
• bend the knees in a gesture of respectful greeting
• To make a curtsey.

Examples

• I refused to make so much as a curtsey for the passing nobles, as I am a staunch egalitarian.
• The hotel's staff never curtsied, nodded, or bowed to the owner as she passed, as they were staunch egalitarians.
• The new Scrabble champion would CURTSEY to her worthy opponent after each victory.

Synonyms

curtsy

Related Words

Not to be confused with courtsey

Anagrams of curtsey