Main Entry: gen·u·flect

Pronunciation: \ˈjen-yə-ˌflekt\

Function: intransitive verb

Etymology: Late Latin genuflectere, from Latin genu knee + flectere to bend — more at knee

Date: 1630

1 a : to bend the knee b : to touch the knee to the floor or ground especially in worship
2 : to be servilely obedient or respectful

— gen·u·flec·tion \ˌjen-yə-ˈflek-shən\ noun