Word of the day: obsequious[ uhb-see-kwee-uhs ] adjective 1. characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow. 2. servilely compliant or deferential: obsequious servants. 3. obedient; dutiful. Example Sentences His wealth nevertheless turns the townspeople into groveling, obsequious sycophants. People are by turns obsequious, angry, and disingenuous. The staff is charming and superb, being attentive without being obsequious. Political appointees have to be obsequious to the apointing authority all the time or they get fired. Word Origin & History obsequious mid-15c., prompt to serve, from L. obsequiosus compliant, obedient, from obsequium compliance, dutiful service, from obsequi to accommodate oneself to the will of another, from ob after + sequi follow (see sequel). Pejorative sense of fawning, sycophantic had emerged by 1590s. Related: Obsequiously.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 07:57:36 +0000
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