Nodded

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈnɑdɪd/

Definitions

1. To have conveyed agreement or acknowledgment via a brief downward motion of the head
2. To have signaled acceptance or understanding through a brief downward inclination of the head
3. Moved the head downward briefly to show agreement or acknowledgment

Etymology: "Nodded" is the simple past and past participle of "nod", so it records a single past instance of the small downward movement of the head. "Nod" probably traces back to the reconstructed root "*ken-", meaning "to scratch, scrape, rub". Its relatives point to shaking and fastening. Old High German "hnotōn" meant "to shake", and Icelandic "hnoða" meant "to clinch or rivet", which suggests the older sense was a quick, repeated motion that later narrowed to the brief bow of the head.

Synonyms: bowed, inclined, gestured, signaled, acknowledged

Antonyms: shook, refused, denied