Library / English Dictionary

CURTSEY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women

Synonyms:

curtsey; curtsy

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("curtsey" is a kind of...):

reverence (an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy))

gesture; motion (the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals)

Derivation:

curtsey (bend the knees in a gesture of respectful greeting)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bend the knees in a gesture of respectful greeting

Synonyms:

curtsey; curtsy

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "curtsey" is one way to...):

bow (bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

curtsey (bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women)

Credits

 Context examples: 

By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a curtsey; and, on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

She bobbed a frightened curtsey as Sir Nigel swept his velvet hat from his head and reined up his great charger.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Her eye half met Captain Wentworth's, a bow, a curtsey passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary, said all that was right, said something to the Miss Musgroves, enough to mark an easy footing; the room seemed full, full of persons and voices, but a few minutes ended it.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

“Barkis, ma'am,” said Peggotty, with a curtsey.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Mrs. Fairfax folded up her knitting: I took my portfolio: we curtseyed to him, received a frigid bow in return, and so withdrew.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

When they parted, Lady Catherine, with great condescension, wished them a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford again next year; and Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to curtsey and hold out her hand to both.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Encouraged by these gracious words, and by my aunt's extending her hand, Barkis came forward, and took the hand, and curtseyed her acknowledgements.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The handle turned, the door unclosed, and passing through and curtseying low, I looked up at—a black pillar!—such, at least, appeared to me, at first sight, the straight, narrow, sable-clad shape standing erect on the rug: the grim face at the top was like a carved mask, placed above the shaft by way of capital.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He was received by Mrs. Bennet with a degree of civility which made her two daughters ashamed, especially when contrasted with the cold and ceremonious politeness of her curtsey and address to his friend.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

We were welcomed by a very civil woman in a white apron, whom I had seen curtseying at the door when I was on Ham's back, about a quarter of a mile off.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)