different between fawning vs kowtowing

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -??n??

Verb

fawning

1. present participle of fawn

Adjective

fawning

1. Seeking favor by way of flattery; flattering, servile.
   • c. 1596-97, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act I scene iii^[2]:

     Shylock: How like a fawning publican he looks ! […]

Translations

Derived terms

• fawningly
• fawningness

Noun

fawning (plural fawnings)

1. Servile flattery.
   • c. 1599-1601, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III scene ii^[3]:

     Hamlet: No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp, / And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee / Where thrift may follow fawning.

   • 1818, Hannah More, The Inflexible Captive

     Xantippus found his ruin ere it reached him, / Lurking behind your honours and rewards; / Found it in your feigned courtesies and fawnings.

Translations

English

Verb

kowtowing

1. present participle of kowtow

Noun

kowtowing (plural kowtowings)

1. The act of one who kowtows; a submissive bow.
   • 1910, Robert Ames Bennet, The Shogun's Daughter

     Yoritomo met their smiles and kowtowings and noisy insuckings of breath with an austere dignity that I took pains to imitate.