a. [ L. obsequiosus, fr. obsequium compliance, fr. obsequi, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obséquieux, See Obsequent, and cf. Obsequy. ] 1. Promptly obedient, or submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of another; devoted. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] His servants weeping, Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Servilely or meanly attentive; compliant to excess; cringing; fawning; as, obsequious flatterer, parasite. [ 1913 Webster ] There lies ever in “obsequious” at the present the sense of an observance which is overdone, of an unmanly readiness to fall in with the will of another. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. [ See Obsequy. ] Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [ R. ] “To do obsequious sorrow.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See Yielding. [ 1913 Webster ] |