obsequiosa

Obsequiosa is the feminine form of the Spanish adjective obsequioso. It describes a person or behavior that is eager to please, courteous, and attentively servile, often in a way intended to gain favor. In everyday use, obsequiosa can be neutral, simply noting polite attentiveness, or pejorative, signaling insincerity or excessive deference.

Etymology: the term comes from obsequio, meaning courtesy or a gracious gesture, which in turn derives from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequī “to comply, to be in attendance.” The related masculine form is obsequioso; the noun obsequio refers to a gift or gesture, distinct from the abstract quality.

Usage: Obsequiosa is typically applied to a feminine subject: una mujer obsequiosa, una actitud obsequiosa. It appears in prose and journalism to describe manners, flattery, or deference in professional or social contexts. The word can characterize a persona, a manager displaying obsequious behavior, or a subordinate who flatters supervisors to advance, though it is often employed to caution against such behavior.

Related terms: obsequioso, obsequiar, obsequio; synonyms include servil, complaciente, excesivamente cortés.

See also: obsequio, obsecuencia. In English, the closest equivalents are obsequious, subservient, or ingratiating, with nuance depending on tone and context.