genuflection: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “genuflection” mean?
The formal, respectful act of bending one knee to the ground, especially in religious worship.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The formal, respectful act of bending one knee to the ground, especially in religious worship.
An act of showing servility or excessive deference towards someone or something; an obsequious gesture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The verb form 'genuflect' is slightly more common in American English, particularly in figurative contexts.
Connotations
Equally formal and carries the same religious/extended metaphorical meanings in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in everyday speech in both regions, primarily found in formal writing, religious discourse, and literary criticism.
Grammar
How to Use “genuflection” in a Sentence
make [a] genuflection to/towards/before [NP]perform [a] genuflection [as a sign of NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “genuflection” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The congregation will genuflect as the processional cross passes.
- He refused to genuflect before the royal portrait.
American English
- The players genuflected briefly after the national anthem.
- Politicians often genuflect to lobbyists from powerful industries.
adverb
British English
- He bowed genuflectingly before the shrine. (rare)
American English
- She approached the podium genuflectingly, overwhelmed by the honour. (rare)
adjective
British English
- The genuflectory rite is performed upon entry.
- His manner was one of genuflecting politeness.
American English
- She made a genuflectory gesture of apology.
- The report was a genuflecting tribute to the company's founder.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to criticise excessive deference to authority or market trends, e.g., 'The CEO's genuflection to shareholder demands was transparent.'
Academic
Common in religious studies, history, and literary analysis to describe ritual acts or metaphorical submission.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used humorously or sarcastically to describe an exaggerated show of respect.
Technical
Specific liturgical term in Catholic and High Anglican traditions, denoting a precise ritual gesture upon entering a pew or approaching the altar.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “genuflection”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “genuflection”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “genuflection”
- Misspelling as 'genuflexion' (archaic BrE variant). Confusing with 'deflection'. Using it to mean a simple, casual bow.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary and most literal meaning is religious (bending the knee in worship), it is very commonly used in a figurative, often critical, sense to mean showing excessive or servile deference.
A genuflection specifically involves bending one knee to touch the ground, often with a bowed head. A bow is a bending from the waist. Genuflection is generally more formal, ritualised, and signifies a higher degree of reverence or submission.
Yes, 'genuflect' is the corresponding verb (e.g., 'The worshipper genuflected before entering the pew'). It is more frequently used than the noun in American English, especially in metaphorical contexts.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. You will encounter it in religious contexts, formal writing, history, and literary or political analysis, but it is unlikely to be used in casual conversation.
The formal, respectful act of bending one knee to the ground, especially in religious worship.
Genuflection is usually formal, literary in register.
Genuflection: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen.juˈflek.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen.juˈflek.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[nothing is] worth a genuflection”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GENU (like 'genuine' but also related to the knee, from Latin *genu*) + FLECTION (like 'flexion', a bending). So, a 'genuine bending of the knee'.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESPECT/SUBMISSION IS LOWERING THE BODY.
Practice
Quiz
In its most common figurative use, 'genuflection' implies: