obedient
UK: əˈbiːdiənt | US: əˈbiːdiənt
adj. willing to comply with orders or requests; submissive to authority
adj. showing deference or respect to rules or norms
The word "obedient" traces back to Latin oboedire (to listen, heed), composed of ob- (toward) + audire (to hear). The core idea is "listening toward" authority, reflecting submission through attentive compliance. Over time, audire morphed into edi- in Old French (obeir), later combined with the suffix -ent to form the English adjective. The evolution highlights the cultural link between hearing and obeying in hierarchical societies.
The dog was obedient and sat immediately when commanded.
She raised her children to be respectful and obedient.
Soldiers must remain obedient to their superiors during missions.
The student gave an obedient nod when the teacher corrected him.
In some cultures, being overly obedient can stifle creativity.