verb
truckle
TRUK-ul/ˈtrʌkəl/
to submit to someone in an excessively obedient way
The employee truckles to the confident boss with excessive obedience.
Etymology
The small wheel gave its name to a wheeled bed stored beneath a larger one. Sleeping in that bed became an image of submission, perhaps because servants used it or because it occupied the lower position.
In context
She tried to truckle to Nordy, too, put in Patricia Linux.
More examples
- He truckles to wealthy donors instead of defending his principles.
- The editor never truckled to officials who demanded favorable coverage.
- You can show respect without truckling to anyone.
Forms
truckle · truckles · truckled · truckling
Similar words
- kowtow
- Emphasizes exaggerated deference intended to please someone powerful.
- grovel
- Emphasizes humiliating behavior when seeking favor or forgiveness.