Going down on your knees, often as a sign of respect, prayer, submission, or protest.
From Old English 'cneowan' related to the Proto-Germanic word for knee. The position itself is ancient across virtually all human cultures.
Kneeling has wildly different meanings depending on context—it can mean reverence, submission, equality (kneeling to be eye-level with children), protest, or desperation—which is why Colin Kaepernick's kneeling during the national anthem sparked such fierce debate over one gesture's meaning.
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