genuflect
/ˈdʒenjuflekt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒenjuflekt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjen-yə-ˌflekt/ (ame, mw)
genuflect — verb
- genuflectpresent simple I / you / we / they
- genuflectshe / she / it
- genuflectedpast simple
- genuflecting-ing form
1. to briefly place one knee on the floor inside a Catholic church to show deep res
to briefly place one knee on the floor inside a Catholic church to show deep respect for God
Jin genuflected as she entered the old stone church.
genuflect + entering a church
Before taking his seat, Father Tomás genuflected toward the altar.
genuflect toward [religious object]
Visitors to the cathedral are taught to genuflect on their right knee.
When the procession passed the cross, everyone in the chapel genuflected in silence.
The elderly woman genuflected slowly, holding the back of the wooden pew for support.
- kneel
more general — kneeling is a posture for prayer or rest; genuflecting is a momentary bending of the knee toward something sacred
- bow
bending the upper body rather than the knee; bow is used in many cultural contexts, not just religious ones
- curtsy
a similar knee-bend gesture performed as a social greeting, not a religious one
- stand
remaining upright instead of bending the knee
文法句型
genuflect + (before / toward / in front of) + [religious object]
用法筆記
In Catholic tradition, genuflecting is a physical gesture of reverence toward the Eucharist kept in the tabernacle — it is not the same as kneeling for prayer.
常見錯誤
2. to behave toward a person or group with too much respect or obedience, as if you
to behave toward a person or group with too much respect or obedience, as if you were willing to kneel before them just to win their approval
The young senator genuflected to every party leader she met.
genuflect to [person] — figurative deferential behaviour
Critics accused the newspaper of genuflecting to corporate interests.
genuflect to [abstract interests]
Tariq refused to genuflect to the new office rules, even under pressure from his boss.
In his speech, the CEO genuflected before the board of directors at every opportunity.
At the quarterly review, Mei watched her supervisor genuflect to every opinion the vice-president offered, even the impractical ones.
- defy
to openly resist rather than bow to authority
- stand up to
to confront someone in authority rather than submit to them
文法句型
genuflect + to + [person/institution]
genuflect + before + [authority]
用法筆記
This figurative sense is critical or disapproving in tone. The speaker suggests the respect is undeserved or excessive.