Kowtow is the act of deep respect shown by kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground. An alternative Chinese term is ketou however, the meaning is somewhat altered: kòu originally meant "knock with reverence", whereas kē has the general meaning of "touch upon (a surface)". In Han Chinese culture, the kowtow is the highest sign of reverence.
OmegaWiki Dictionary
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kowtow An act of respect common in Imperial China which consists of kneeling down and bowing so low as to touch the head to the ground.
kowtow To kneel and bow so low as to touch one’s forehead to the ground in expression of respect, worship, or submission.
