WON Word A Day – February 15th- OBSEQUIOUS

Obsequious (ob-SEE-kwee-uhs, uhb-) adjective: Behaving in an ingratiating or servile manner.

Did you know? Earlier the word meant obedient or dutiful, with no connotations of fawning. Over time it has taken a negative turn. From Latin obsequiosus (compliant), from obsequi (to comply), from ob- (to) + sequi (follow), which also gave us obsequy. Earliest documented use: 1447.