gen·u·flect 
/ˈʤɛnjəˌflɛkt/ verb
gen·u·flects; gen·u·flect·ed; gen·u·flect·ing /ˈʤɛnjəˌflɛkt/ verb [no obj] 1 : to kneel on one knee and then rise again as an act of respect
▪ They genuflected before the altar in the church. 2 disapproving : to obey someone with power in a way that is seen as weak
▪ politicians genuflecting [=kowtowing] to wealthy businessmen
▪ They genuflected before the altar in the church.
▪ politicians genuflecting [=kowtowing] to wealthy businessmen
— gen·u·flec·tion also Brit gen·u·flex·ion /ˌʤɛnjəˈflɛkʃən/ noun, plural gen·u·flec·tions [count, noncount]
/ˌʤɛnjəˈflɛkʃən/ noun, plural gen·u·flec·tions [count, noncount]
