obeisance (noun) - a gesture of respect, reverence, or submission [oh-bay-suhns]
BREAKDOWN: OB- (to) + EI- (to listen) + -ENCE (act or state)
obeisant means politely deferential or servile
“Everyone was well versed in how they were expected to behave towards the regime. They had mouths only to keep shut, hands only to make obeisance, knees only to bend and kneel, backs only to bend, and bodies only to shrink before the authorities.” —Perumal Murugan
