Obs. [a. OFr. abaissance abasement, humility, n. of action f. abaissant pr. pple. of abaisser to lower: see ABASE. From the earliest period confused in Eng. with obeisance, Fr. obéissance, obedience, n. of action f. obéir to obey. A few writers in 7–8 tried in vain to restore the etymological distinction.] The bending of the body as a mark of respect; a bow.
[1393. Gower, Conf., III. VI. iii. 75. And ate last he gan to lout And obeisaunce unto her make.]
1671. Skinner, Etymol. Ling. Ang., To make a low abaissance.
1675. Art of Contentment, IV. xv. 199. Haman can find no gust in all the sensualities of the Persian court, because a poor despicable Jew denies his abaisance.
1721. Bailey, An Abaisance, a low Conge or Bow, a stooping down.
1755. Johnson, Obeysance is considered by Skinner as a corruption of abaisance, but is now universally used.
[1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick. (C.D. ed.), xxiv. 193. Miss Snevellicci made a graceful obeisance.]
