Kotow \Ko*tow"\, n. [Chinese, knock head.]
Same as kowtow, the more common spellings. [China] [Also
spelled kowtow.] --S. W. Williams.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Kotow \Ko*tow"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Kotowed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Kotowing.]
1. To perform the kotow. Now usually spelled kowtow. [Also
spelled kowtow.]
[1913 Webster]
2. To defer to another in a servile or humiliating manner; to
act obsequiously.
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Kowtow \Kow*tow"\, n. [Chinese, knock head.]
The prostration made by mandarins and others to their
superiors, either as homage or worship, by knocking the
forehead on the ground; same as Kotow. There are degrees in
the rite, the highest being expressed by three knockings.
[China] [Also spelled kotow.] --S. W. Williams.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
kotow
n : a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the
forehead as a sign of respect or submission [syn: kowtow]
v : try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always
kowtowing to his boss" [syn: fawn, toady, truckle,
bootlick, kowtow, suck up]
WordNet (r) 2.0
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