genuflect

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gen·u·flect / ˈjenyəˌflekt/ • v. [intr.] lower one's body briefly by bending one knee to the ground, typically in worship or as a sign of respect: she genuflected and crossed herself. ∎  fig. show deference or servility: politicians had to genuflect to the far left to advance their careers.DERIVATIVES: gen·u·flec·tion / ˌjenyəˈflekshən/ n.gen·u·flec·tor / -tər/ n.

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