n.
Pronunciation: ō - ' b ē -s ə n(t)s, ə -, - ' b ā -
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English obeisaunce obedience, obeisance, from Anglo-French obeisance, from obeissant, present participle of obeir to obey
Date: 14th century
1 : a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission : BOW
2 : acknowledgment of another's superiority or importance : HOMAGE <makes obeisance to her mentors>
– obei · sant \ -s ə nt \ adjective
– obei · sant · ly adverb