First Known Use: 1630
Dictionary
genuflect
verb gen·u·flect \ˈjen-yə-ˌflekt\
: to kneel on one knee and then rise again as an act of respect
: to obey someone with power in a way that is seen as weak
Full Definition of GENUFLECT
intransitive verb
1
a : to bend the knee b : to touch the knee to the floor or ground especially in worship
2
: to be servilely obedient or respectful
— gen·u·flec·tion \ˌjen-yə-ˈflek-shən\ noun
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Origin of GENUFLECT
Late Latin genuflectere, from Latin genu knee + flectere to bend — more at knee
Rhymes with GENUFLECT
acrolect, architect, birth defect, circumspect, deselect, dialect, disaffect, disconnect, disinfect, disrespect, edge effect, grapholect, incorrect, indirect, in effect, intellect, interject, intersect, introject, introspect, lake effect, misdirect, preselect, re-collect, recollect, redirect, reelect, resurrect, retrospect, self-respect, side effect, turtlenecked, vivisect
GENUFLECTING Defined for Kids
genuflect
verb gen·u·flect \ˈjen-yə-ˌflekt\
gen·u·flect·edgen·u·flect·ing
Definition of GENUFLECT for Kids
: to kneel on one knee and rise again as an act of deep respect (as in a church)
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