# curtsey

Pronunciation: say "KURT-see" US /ˈkɝtsɪ/, UK /ˈkɜːtsɪ/

## Noun

1. A small bow, usually performed by a woman or girl, in which one leg is crossed behind the other and the knees bend briefly to lower the body in respect.
   - Simple: A small bow made by bending the knees, usually by a woman or girl, to show respect.
   - _She dropped into a deep curtsey as the king entered the hall._
   - _The actresses ended the performance with synchronized curtseys._

## Verb

2. To perform a curtsey, lowering the body by briefly bending the knees as a sign of respect.
   - Simple: To bend your knees in a small bow, usually as a woman or girl, to show respect.
   - _Dancers curtsey to the audience at the end of each show._
   - _She curtseyed deeply as the queen passed by._

## Origin

A shortened form of "courtesy," dating from the 16th century.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/curtsey (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).