Curtsey
Pronunciation
- GenAm IPA: /ˈkÉtsɪ/
- RP IPA: /ˈkÉœËtsɪ/
- Hyphenation: curt + sey
Origin
Shortened from courtesy.
Alternative forms
Full definition of curtsey
Noun
- A small bow, generally performed by a woman or a girl, where she crosses one calf of her leg behind the other and briefly bends her knees and lowers her body in deference.I refused to make so much as a curtsey for the passing nobles, as I am a staunch egalitarian.
- 1868, , ...making stately curtsies, and sweeping her train about with a rustle...
- 1928, , No caps were touched, no curtseys bobbed.
Verb
- To make a curtsey.The hotel's staff variously curtsied, nodded, and bowed to the owner as she passed.
- 1841, , "I’m sure you’ll excuse me, sir," said Mrs Varden, rising and curtseying.
- 1861, , On the other hand, Mrs. Ladbrook was standing in skull-cap and front, with her turban in her hand, curtsying and smiling blandly...
- 1887, , 'I be as nothing in the eyes of my lord,' and she curtseyed towards him...
- 1890, James Russell Lowell, Address in Publications of the Modern Language Association of AmericaBut DANTE was a great genius, and language curtesys to its natural Kings.
- 1903, , He curtsied low, and then bowed almost to the ground, with an imperturbable gravity that seemed almost suspicious.
- 1908, Caroline Crawford, Folk Dances and GamesThe gentleman bows and the lady curtesys (measure eight).