noun / verb
curtsy
KURT-see/ˈkɜːrtsi/
A formal greeting or sign of respect made by bending the knees and lowering the body.
The woman greets the hostess with a curtsy, bending her knees slightly.
Etymology
The word for courtliness also meant an act of civility or respect. Curtsy specialized this broad idea into the knee-bending gesture used to express respect.
In context
Avdotya Romanovna seemed to await her turn, and following her mother out, gave Sonia an attentive, courteous bow. Sonia, in confusion, gave a hurried, frightened curtsy.
More examples
- She curtsies before the queen at the formal reception.
- The young dancers practiced their curtsies before the recital.
- Maya learns to curtsy during her first ballet lesson.
Forms
curtsy · curtsies · curtsied · curtsying
Similar words
- bow
- Lowers the head or upper body rather than bending the knees.
- genuflection
- Usually lowers one knee to the ground in religious reverence.