curtsy
pronunciation
How to pronounce curtsy in British English:
UK [ˈkɜːtsi]
How to pronounce curtsy in American English:
US [ˈkɜːrtsi]
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- Noun:
- bending at the knees; a gesture of respect made by women
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- Verb:
- a gesture of respectful greeting, for women
- make a curtsy; usually done only by girls and women; as a sign of respect
Word Origin
- curtsy (n.)
- 1540s, "expression of respect," a variant of courtesy (q.v.). Specific meaning "a bending the knee and lowering the body as a gesture of respect" is from 1570s. Originally not exclusively feminine.
- curtsy (v.)
- 1550s, from curtsy (n.). Related: Curtsied; curtsying.
Example
- 1. You may remember her curtsy the first time you met .
- 2. Your majesties , shall I curtsy to you ?
- 3. With a small curtsy , she made her way to leave .
- 4. The ballerina bobbed a curtsy to the audience before leaving the stage .
- 5. I did a little curtsy and waited for the big news that my parents were about to tell me .