Bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women.

synonym: curtsey.

Roget 308: lowering etc. v.; depression; dip etc. (concavity) 252; abasement; detrusion^†; reduction.    overthrow, overset^†, overturn; upset; prostration, subversion, precipitation.    bow; courtesy, curtsy; genuflexion^†, genuflection, kowtow, obeisance, salaam.    ... show more

Roget 894: courtesy; respect etc. 928; good manners, good behavior, good breeding; manners; politeness etc. adj.; bienseance, urbanity, comity, gentility, breeding, polish, presence; civility, civilization; amenity, suavity; good temper, good humor; amiability, easy temper, complacency, soft tongue, mansuetude; condescension etc. (humility) 879; affability, complaisance, pr_evenance, amability^†, gallantry; pink of politeness, pink of courtesy.    compliment; fair words, soft words, sweet words; honeyed phrases, ceremonial salutation, reception, presentation, introduction, accueil^†, greeting, recognition; welcome, abord^†, respects, devoir, regards, remembrances; kind regards, kind remembrances; love, best love, duty; empty encomium, flattering remark, hollow commendation; salaams.    obeisance etc. (reverence) 928; bow, courtesy, curtsy, scrape, salaam, kotow^†, kowtow, bowing and scraping; kneeling; genuflection etc. (worship) 990; obsequiousness etc. 886; capping, shaking hands, etc. v.; grip of the hand, embrace, hug, squeeze, accolade, loving cup, vin d'honneur [Fr.], pledge; love token etc. (endearment) 902; kiss, buss, salute.    mark of recognition, nod; nods and becks and wreathed smiles" [Milton]; valediction etc. 293; condolence etc. 915.    ... show more

Roget 725: submission, yielding; nonresistance; obedience etc. 743.    surrender, cession, capitulation, resignation; backdown^†.    obeisance, homage, kneeling, genuflexion^†, courtesy, curtsy, kowtow, prostration.    ... show more

Dutch: nijging
Polish: dygnięcie, dyg

Bend the knees in a gesture of respectful greeting.

synonym: curtsey.

Roget 725: succumb, submit, yeild, bend, resign, defer to.    lay down one's arms, deliver up one's arms; lower colors, haul down colors, strike one's flag, strike colors.    surrender, surrender at discretion; cede, capitulate, come to terms, retreat, beat a retreat; draw in one's horns etc. (humility) 879; give way, give round, give in, give up; cave in; suffer judgment by default; bend, bend to one's yoke, bend before the storm; reel back; bend down, knuckle down, knuckle to, knuckle under; knock under.    eat dirt, eat the leek, eat humble pie; bite the dust, lick the dust; be at one's feet, fall at one's feet; craven; crouch before, throw oneself at the feet of; swallow the leek, swallow the pill; kiss the rod; turn the other cheek; avaler les couleuvres [Fr.], gulp down.    obey etc. 743; kneel to, bow to, pay homage to, cringe to, truckle to; bend the neck, bend the knee; kneel, fall on one's knees, bow submission, courtesy, curtsy, kowtow.    pocket the affront; make the best of, make a virtue of necessity; grin and abide, grin and bear it, shrug the shoulders, resign oneself; submit with a good grace etc. (bear with) 826.    ... show more

Roget 894: be courteous etc. adj.; show courtesy etc. n.. mind one's P's and Q's, behave oneself, be all things to all men, conciliate, speak one fair, take in good part; make the amiable, do the amiable; look as if butter would not melt in one's look as if butter would not melt in one's mouth; mend one's manners.    receive, do the honors, usher, greet, hail, bid welcome; welcome, welcome with open arms; shake hands; hold out the hand, press the hand, squeeze the hand, press the flesh; bid Godspeed; speed the parting guest; cheer, serenade.    salute; embrace etc. (endearment) 902; kiss, kiss hands; drink to, pledge, hob and nob^†; move to, nod to; smile upon.    uncover, cap; touch the hat, take off the hat; doff the cap; present arms; make way for; bow; make one's bow, make a leg; scrape, curtsy, courtesy; bob a curtsy, bob a courtesy; kneel; bow the knee, bend the knee.    visit, wait upon, present oneself, pay one's respects, pay a visit etc. (sociability) 892; dance attendance on etc. (servility) 886; pay attentions to; do homage to etc. (respect) 928.    prostrate oneself etc. (worship) 990.    give one's duty to, send one's duty to, etc. n.. render polite etc. adj.; polish, civilize, humanize.    ... show more

Make a curtsy; usually done only by girls and women; as a sign of respect.

synonym: bob.

Roget 308: depress, lower, let down, take down, let down a peg, take down a peg; cast; let drop, let fall; sink, debase, bring low, abase, reduce, detrude^†, pitch, precipitate.    overthrow, overturn, overset^†; upset, subvert, prostate, level, fell; cast down, take down, throw down, fling down, dash down, pull down, cut down, knock down, hew down; raze, raze to the ground, rase to the ground^†; trample in the dust, pull about one's ears.    sit, sit down; couch, squat, crouch, stoop, bend, bow; courtesy, curtsy; bob, duck, dip, kneel; bend the knee, bow the knee, bend the head, bow the head; cower; recline etc. (be horizontal) 213.    ... show more

Roget 314: oscillate; vibrate, librate^†; alternate, undulate, wave; rock, swing; pulsate, beat; wag, waggle; nod, bob, courtesy, curtsy; tick; play; wamble^†, wabble^†; dangle, swag.    fluctuate, dance, curvet, reel, quake; quiver, quaver; shake, flicker; wriggle; roll, toss, pitch; flounder, stagger, totter; move up and down, bob up and down etc. adv.; pass and repass, ebb and flow, come and go; vacillate etc. 605; teeter [U.S.].    brandish, shake, flourish.    ... show more