genuflect
[ jen-yoo-flekt ]
/ ˈdʒɛn yʊˌflɛkt /
verb (used without object)
to bend the knee or touch one knee to the floor in reverence or worship.
to express a servile attitude.
Origin of genuflect
1620–30; < Medieval Latin
genūflectere to bend the knee, equivalent to Latin
genū-, stem of
genu
knee +
flectere to bend
OTHER WORDS FROM genuflect
gen·u·flec·tor, nounWords nearby genuflect
genu recurvatum,
genu valgum,
genu varum,
genual,
genucubital position,
genuflect,
genuflection,
genuine,
genupectoral position,
genus,
genève
Example sentences from the Web for genuflect
British Dictionary definitions for genuflect
genuflect
/ (ˈdʒɛnjʊˌflɛkt) /
verb (intr)
to act in a servile or deferential manner
RC Church
to bend one or both knees as a sign of reverence, esp when passing before the Blessed Sacrament
Derived forms of genuflect
genuflection or esp British genuflexion, noun genuflector, nounWord Origin for genuflect
C17: from Medieval Latin
genūflectere, from Latin
genu knee +
flectere to bend