Genuflect | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Genuflect (pronounced [jen-yoo-flekt]) is a verb referring to the act of briefly bending down on one knee as a sign of respect or worship (similar to kneeling). It’s a common feature of Christian religious practices and marriage proposals.
“Genuflect” is also used metaphorically to describe the behavior of someone who is overly humble or subservient.
The protagonist of the story refused to genuflect before the evil king.
I’m not someone who genuflects for powerful people. I treat everyone equally.
Genuflection
Genuflection is a noun that refers to the act of genuflecting (i.e., touching one knee to the floor or ground as a sign of respect).
“Genuflexion” is often used as a variant spelling of genuflection, due to the word’s Latin origin. However, “genuflexion” is not accepted as a valid spelling by most modern dictionaries and is best avoided in formal or academic writing.
Genuflection is a customary part of Catholic worship.
Other interesting language articles
If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, common mistakes, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.
Confused words
Definitions
US vs. UK spellings
Frequently asked questions
- What does genuflexion mean?
-
“Genuflexion” is often used as a variant spelling of genuflection, a noun that refers to the act of genuflecting (i.e., touching one knee to the floor or ground as a sign of respect).
However, “genuflexion” is not accepted as a valid spelling by most dictionaries and is best avoided in formal or academic writing.
Cite this Scribbr article
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
Ryan, E. (2023, March 13). Genuflect | Meaning, Definition & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 22, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/definitions/genuflect/
