Word of the day! 8-4-08

Today's Word
obeisance \oh-BEE-suhn(t)s; oh-BAY-suhn(t)s\, noun:1. An expression of deference or respect, such as a bow or curtsy.2. Deference, homage.

"They made obeisance right to the floor, coiling like bright snakes from the arms of their astonished handlers."-- Ann Wroe, Pontius Pilate

"His presence was betrayed to Miloš, who ordered his execution and then sent his rival's head to the Sultan to demonstrate his obeisance."-- Misha Glenny, The Balkans

"In all, it had served to create a highly restrictive society where the arrogance of superiors was as ingrained as their subordinates' fawning obeisance."-- Robert Whiting, Tokyo Underworld

Obeisance comes from Old French obeissance, from obeissant, present participle of obeir, to obey, from Latin oboedire, to listen to, from ob-, to + audire, to hear. The adjective form is obeisant.