English

Alternative forms

• obeisaunce, obeissance, abaisance (obsolete)

Noun

obeisance ‎(plural obeisances)

1. Demonstration of an obedient attitude, especially by bowing deeply; a deep bow which demonstrates such an attitude.
   • 1845, Edgar Allan Poe, "The Raven":

     Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

     In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;

     Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;

     But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door —

     Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door —

     Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

   • 1962, J. L. Austin, How To Do Things With Words (OUP paperback edition), p. 69:

     The situation in the case of actions which are non-linguistic but similar to performative utterances in that they are the performance of a conventional action (here ritual or ceremonial) is rather like this: suppose I bow deeply before you; it might not be clear whether I am doing obeisance to you or, say, stooping to observe the flora or to ease my indigestion.

2. An obedient attitude.

Usage notes

• Usually in the phrases do obeisance or make obeisance.

Translations