# abaisance

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abaisance
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a physical movement, like a bow or a curtsy, that shows you have great respect for someone. It is an old-fashioned way to describe being very polite to a powerful person.

For teachers: a physical gesture of deep respect or deference, such as a bow or curtsy. Often used in literary or historical contexts to describe formal submission to authority.

## Examples

- He made a low abaisance before the queen.
- The messenger entered the throne room and performed a deep abaisance before delivering the urgent news to the king.
- In the rigid hierarchy of the imperial court, even the smallest failure to perform a proper abaisance was viewed as a grave insult to the crown.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the verbs 'make', 'do', or 'perform'. An archaic spelling variant of 'obeisance', though still found in historical literature.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.