obsequiously
/əbˈsiːkwiəsli/
adverb
Origin
Latin
obsequium — compliance, indulgence
Overview
Meaning Now
- In a servile, fawning, or excessively obedient manner.
Literal older meaning
following or complying with (someone) as a funeral attendant
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
obsequious
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The root 'sequi' appears in many English words related to following, such as 'sequence' or 'consequent'. Historically, 'obsequious' meant 'dutiful' or 'compliant' in a positive or neutral sense, as in an attendant at a funeral (obsequies). Over time, the term shifted to describe those who act in an overly eager or fawning manner to please someone in authority.
Evolution
- Latin
obsequi
“to follow, to comply with”
Formed from ob- (towards) + sequi (to follow).
- Medieval Latin
obsequiosus
“compliant, obedient”
- Middle French
obsequieux
“obliging, compliant”
- Early Modern English
obsequious
“dutiful, compliant”
Initially neutral in connotation, later acquired negative sense.
- Modern English
obsequiously
“in a servile manner”
Adverbial form derived from the adjective.
Connections
Word parts
ob-
prefix
towards
sequ-
root
to follow
-i-
other
linking vowel
-ous
suffix
full of
-ly
suffix
in a manner of
Related across languages
French
obséquieux
obsequious
Spanish
obsequioso
attentive, obliging
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Related to obsequiously
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.