Obeisance is a noun that refers to deferential respect.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day is related to the word ‘obey,’ as in ‘comply with the command.’ When we pay obeisance to someone we are paying our respects. For example: When visiting foreign countries, I didn’t understand the need to bow or curtsy to certain people. It was soon explained to me that it was custom to pay obeisance to individuals who were deemed royalty.