adjust one's clothing to show respect; a woman's bow in ancient times
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesverb
to straighten one's lapels as a gesture of respect
archaicUsed in ancient times as a formal, deferential gesture before speaking, bowing, or receiving instruction, primarily by men.
Xué学
zǐ子
wén闻
shī师
yán言
，
bì必
liǎn敛
rèn衽
ér而
tīng听
。
Upon hearing the teacher's words, the student must straighten his lapels and listen respectfully.
Liǎn敛
rèn衽
ér而
bài拜
，
yǐ以
shì示
chéng诚
jìng敬
。
He straightened his lapels and bowed to show sincere respect.
verb
to perform a woman's bow or curtsy in ancient times
archaicRefers specifically to the act of a woman pulling in her sleeves or adjusting her garments while bowing. The variant 裣衽 (liǎn rèn) is also used with this meaning.
Xīn新
fù妇
rù入
mén门
，
xiàng向
jiù舅
gū姑
liǎn敛
rèn衽
。
The bride entered the house and bowed to her parents-in-law.
Jù剧
zhōng中
nǚ女
zǐ子
jiàn见
kè客
，
jiē皆
zuò做
liǎn敛
rèn衽
zhī之
lǐ礼
。
In the play, the women all perform a bow when greeting guests.