0 to bend one or both knees as a sign of respect to God, especially when entering or leaving a Catholic church: --
1 to bend one knee or touch one knee to the floor as a sign of worship or respect --
When the tabernacle is vacant, it is common practice to leave it open so that the faithful will not inadvertently perform an act of devotion (such as bowing or genuflecting).
As a comparison, there are within each, two women upon a dais classical pillars, swathes of luxuriant cloth, genuflecting personages with arms extended, and allegorical figures present.
The priest now speaks the phrase after showing the chalice to the people and genuflecting.
The pastor may also elevate the elements as well as genuflect.
The three sacred ministers genuflect at the foot of the altar steps, then ascend and form a line.
At the end of the service you genuflected and crossed yourself!
The celebrating priest did not genuflect but bowed reverently.
We defer and genuflect to phantoms.
