See Also: conformable(dictionary)

kowtow (iou) and conformable (iou)


kowtow (iou)



kowtow noun & verb. . E19.
[Chinese ketou (Wade-Giles k'ot'ou), from ke knock, strike + tou head.]
A. noun. The action or practice, formerly customary in China, of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of extreme respect, submission, or worship; fig. an act of obsequious respect. E19.
b. verb intrans. Perform the kowtow; fig. act in an obsequious manner. M19.
S. Conran She couldn't stand the way that Robert kowtowed to her father.
kowtower noun M20.

conformable (iou)



conformable adjective & adverb. L15.
[medieval Latin conformabilis, from conformare: see CONFORM verb, -ABLE.]
A. adjective.
Disposed or accustomed to conform; tractable; compliant to. L15.
Shakespeare Taming of Shrew And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate Conformable as Other household Kates.
b. spec. Chiefly Hist. Conforming to the usages of the Church of England. L16.
According in form or character to; similar to. E16.
G. Berkeley The supposed circulation of the sap..is in no sort conformable or analagous to the circulation of the blood.
Corresponding so as to fit; consistent; harmonious; fitting. (Foll. by to, with.) M16.
J. Buchan He felt it necessary to erect his own sanctuary, conformable to his modest but peculiar tastes.
Geology. Of strata in contact: lying in the same direction. Of a formation etc.: displaying conformability. E19.
b. adverb. In conformity with; conformably to. L16.
conformableness noun M16.
conformably adverb in a conformable manner, in conformity with, according to, compliantly; Geology with conformability: E16.