Definitions
Wiktionary
- n. A small bow, generally performed by a woman, where she briefly bends her knees and lowers her body in deference.
- v. To make a curtsey.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees. Same as 2nd courtesy, n..
- v. to perform a curtsy.
WordNet 3.0
- n. bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women
- v. bend the knees in a gesture of respectful greeting
Examples
“He explained that the word curtsey comes from the word "courtesy.”
The Huffington Post: Margie Goldsmith: Setting A Courteous Guinness World Record In London
“The "curtsey" -- or "courtesy" -- is a feature of the minuet, and revived with the old-fashioned dance.”
“‘As you please, young gentleman,’ said the landlady, and then, making a kind of curtsey, she again retired to the side apartment.”
“Just as Mrs Jenkins was making a kind of curtsey by the bedside Gladys said that she saw Mr Prothero riding up to the house.”
“She made a kind of curtsey and began to speak, but no sooner did she see his face than she held her tongue.”
“Elfrida's little curtsey was not at all the right kind of curtsey, but it had to do.”
“I was so overwhelmed with surprise and awe that I forgot to make the proper response of a "curtsey," but ran home as fast as I could go to proclaim the wonder.”
“As you please, young gentleman," said the landlady, and then making a kind of curtsey, she again retired to the side apartment.”
“As you please, young gentleman,' said the landlady, and then, making a kind of curtsey, she again retired to the side apartment.”
“Welcome back, Masser Mile," Dido began with a curtsey, meaning "Welcome back from being half-drowned;" "ebberybody _so_ grad you isn't hurt!”
Lists
‘curtsey’ hasn't been added to any lists yet.
brtom "If I go to the best room, there I find my host and his story: if I fly to the gallery, there we have my hostess with her curtsey down to the ground. "
Goldsmith, She Stoops, III Jan 11, 2007