An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees. Same as 2nd Courtesy, n..
An approved way of showing respect, perhaps not much in evidence after the turn of the mid century except when made by social inferiors like maids to the better off or when made by the better off during presentation at court.
A curtsey (also spelled curtsy) is a traditional gesture of greeting, in which a woman bends her knees while bowing her head. It is the female equivalent of male bowing in Western cultures.