genuflect

Definition of Genuflect in English :

1. genuflect

bend the knees and bow in church or before a religious superior or image

2. genuflect, kowtow, scrape

bend the knees and bow in a servile manner

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Genuflect

verb (intransitive)

1.

to act in a servile or deferential manner

2. Roman Catholic Church

to bend one or both knees as a sign of reverence, esp when passing before the Blessed Sacrament

verb intransitive

1.

to bend the knee, as in reverence or worship

2.

to act in a submissive or servile way

intr.v. gen·u·flect·ed, gen·u·flect·ing, gen·u·flects

1. To bend the knee or touch one knee to the floor or ground, as in worship.

2. To be servilely respectful or deferential; grovel.