A kowtow / ˈkaʊtaʊ / (simplified Chinese: 叩头; traditional Chinese: 叩頭) 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.

: to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect. Did you know? 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.

KOWTOW definition: 1. to show respect by going down into a position where your knees are on the floor and then bending…. Learn more.

The earliest known use of the noun kowtow is in the 1800s. OED's earliest evidence for kowtow is from 1804, in the writing of John Barrow, promoter of exploration and author. kowtow is a borrowing from Chinese .

Kowtow, which describes the act of kneeling and touching one’s head to the ground to show respect, used to be a custom in Chinese culture. Now it refers to acting like you're doing that, whether you actually bow or not.

The kowtow is the ancient Chinese way of showing respect, reverence and gratitude. ‘Kowtow’ is the Cantonese spelling of the pinyin kòutóu 叩 头 which means literally ‘ knock head ’. Some say that a proper kowtow requires the sound of the skull hitting the ground to be heard.

A kowtow 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.

Mar 22, 2021 · kowtow (n.)also kow-tow, 1804, from Chinese k'o-t'ou, custom of touching the ground with the forehead while kneeling as a gesture of respect or submission, literally "knock the head," from k'o "knock, bump" + t'ou "head."

to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom. the act of kowtowing.

To kowtow is to kneel and touch the ground with the forehead as an act of worship or submission. The practice first came to the attention of the English-speaking world late in the 18th century, when westerners began to visit China.