History and Meaning of Curtsy

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curtsy noun curt·sy \ ˈkərt-sē \ variants: or less commonly curtsey Definition of curtsy plural curtsies also curtseys : an act of civility, respect, or reverence made mainly by women and consisting of a slight lowering of the body with bending of the knees See curtsy defined for English-language learners See curtsy defined for kids Recent Examples of curtsy from the Web But never fear: Meghan did curtsy to Queen Elizabeth. — Lisa Ryan, The Cut, "The Best Gossip From the Royal Wedding," 22 May 2018 Despite concerns and questions online about whether Meghan curtsied to Queen Elizabeth, Meghan did curtsy to Queen Elizabeth at the royal wedding ceremony on May 19. — Ashley Hoffman, Time, "Yes, Meghan Markle Did Curtsy to the Queen at the Royal Wedding. Here's Why People Missed It," 19 May 2018 The British royal family may prefer a subtle genuflection, but events like debutante balls offer occasions for a more flamboyant curtsy like the Texas Dip. — Malia Wollan, New York Times, "How to Curtsy," 9 May 2018 These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curtsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. First Known Use of curtsy 1533 in the meaning defined above See Words from the same year NEW! Time Traveler 2 curtsy verb variants: or less commonly curtsey Definition of curtsy curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying intransitive verb : to make a curtsy Recent Examples of curtsy from the Web Despite concerns and questions online about whether Meghan curtsied to Queen Elizabeth, Meghan did curtsy to Queen Elizabeth at the royal wedding ceremony on May 19. — Ashley Hoffman, Time, "Yes, Meghan Markle Did Curtsy to the Queen at the Royal Wedding. Here's Why People Missed It," 19 May 2018 As seen above, both Markle and her soon-to-be sister-in-law Duchess Kate curtsied to the Queen outside St. Mary Magdalene church. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle Makes Her First Public Curtsy on Christmas Day," 25 Dec. 2017 While leaving this afternoon's Commonwealth Day service, Meghan Markle met several adorable children, one of whom gave her a bouquet of flowers and appears to have curtsied while greeting her. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "An Adorable Little Girl Just Curtsied Like a Total Pro For Meghan Markle," 12 Mar. 2018 These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curtsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. Origin and Etymology of curtsy alteration of courtesy NEW! Time Traveler First Known Use: circa 1553 in the meaning defined above See Words from the same year CURTSY Defined for English Language Learners curtsy noun Definition of curtsy for English Language Learners : a formal way of greeting an important person (such as a king or queen) in which a woman shows respect by placing one foot slightly behind the other and bending her knees CURTSY Defined for Kids 1 curtsy verb curt·sy variants: also curtsey \ˈkərt-sē\ Definition of curtsy for Students curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying : to lower the body slightly by bending the knees as an act of politeness or respect 2 curtsy noun variants: also curtsey Definition of curtsy for Students plural curtsies also curtseys : an act of politeness or respect made by women and consisting of a slight lowering of the body by bending the knees
1991 Diana is curtsying to the Queen A curtsey (also spelled curtsy, courtesy in British English, or incorrectly as courtsey) is a traditional gesture of greeting, in which a girl or woman bends her knees while bowing her head. It is the female equivalent of male bowing or genuflecting in Western cultures. Miss Manners characterizes its knee bend as deriving from a "traditional gesture of an inferior to a superior.The word "curtsey" is a phonological change from "courtesy" known in linguistics as syncope. Overview According to Desmond Morris, the motions involved in the curtsey and the bow were similar until the 17th century, and the gender differentiation between the actions developed afterwards. The earlier, combined version is still performed by Restoration comedy actors. In more formal variants of the curtsey, the girl/woman bends the knees outward (rather than straight ahead), often sweeping one foot behind her. She may also use her hands to hold her skirt out from her body. In the Victorian era, when women wore floor-length, hooped skirts, they curtsied using the plié movement borrowed from second-position in classical ballet in which the knees are bent while the back is held straight. Both feet and knees point out so the torso lowers straight down. This way, the lady lowers herself evenly and not to one side. Traditionally, women and girls curtsey for those of senior social rank just as men and boys bow. Today this practice has become less common. In many European cultures it is traditional for women to curtsey in front of royalty. It may then be referred to as a court curtsey and is often especially deep and elaborate. Further, some female domestic workers curtsey for their employers. Female dancers often curtsey at the end of a performance to show gratitude or to acknowledge applause from the audience. At the end of a ballet class, students will also curtsey or bow to the teacher and pianist to show gratitude. According to Victorian dance etiquette, a woman curtseys before beginning a dance. Female Scottish highland dancers performing the national dances and the Irish jig also curtsey (at both the beginning and end for the national dances and at the end for the Irish jig). Some female ballroom dancers will curtsey to their partners before beginning the Viennese Waltz. It is customary for female figure skaters to curtsey at the end of their performances at figure skating competitions or shows. It is also acceptable in some cultures for the female to curtsey if wearing trousers. During her coronation ceremony Queen Elizabeth II performed a curtsy, or rather a half-curtsy, half-neck bow to King Edward's Chair. The "Texas Dip" is an extreme curtsy performed by a Texan debutante. The young woman slowly lowers her forehead to the floor by crossing her ankles, then bending her knees and sinking. The escort's hand is held during the dip. When the debutante's head nears the floor, she turns her head sideways, averting the risk of soiling her dress with lipstick.
Baroness Thatcher curtsies to the Queen on her arrival at Claridge's in London for a glittering dinner to celebrate the former Prime Minister's 70th birthday Baroness Thatcher greeted the Queen warmly, laying to rest past speculation that the two women did not get on with each other. See PA Story ROYAL Thatcher. Photo by David Cheskin/PA 07/03/98: The traditional curtsy could soon disappear, in a round of reforms to further modernise the monarchy, announced today (Saturday). The proposals include restricting the style His or Her Royal Highness to senior royals; confirming that bowing and curtsying to royals is not compulsory; and finally closing the door on palace grace-and-favour accommodation. References: https://www.merriam-webster.com https://en.wikipedia.org

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