What is the difference between obeisance and worship? After reading the answers to this question, I realized that many do not necessarily see it as idolatry if someone prostrates before someone else (e.g. Jesus), as long as it is done to pay obeisance rather than as an act of worship. However, from an external observer's point of view, doing obeisance and worshipping are indistinguishable acts. In both there is a person in prostration, saying nice things to someone else. This must imply that if there is any difference, it is not found in the physical act itself, but in the attitude of the heart.
Question: what is the difference between obeisance and worship? In particular, I'm interested in understanding what aspects of obeisance make it different from worship so as to not be considered idolatry when targeted to someone other than God.
The best way to address this question is to start with definitions.
Definition of obeisance
1 : a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission : bow
//After making his obeisances he approached the altar.
2 : acknowledgment of another's superiority or importance : homage
//makes obeisance to her mentors
//The players paid obeisance to their coach.
Worship
Definition of worship (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power
also : an act of expressing such reverence
2 : a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual.
I found some examples of &quot;obeisance&quot; at the jw.org site.
OBEISANCE

The act of bowing, kneeling, prostrating the body, or making some other gesture to betoken submission; or simply the paying of respect. It adequately translates the Hebrew hish·ta·chawahʹ and the Greek pro·sky·neʹo in many cases.


Hish·ta·chawahʹ means, basically, “bow down.” (Ge 18:2) Such bowing might be done as an act of respect or deference toward another human, as to a king (1Sa 24:8; 2Sa 24:20; Ps 45:11), the high priest (1Sa 2:36), a prophet (2Ki 2:15), or other person of authority (Ge 37:9, 10; 42:6; Ru 2:8-10), to an elder relative (Ge 33:1-6; 48:11, 12; Ex 18:7; 1Ki 2:19), or even to strangers as an expression of courteous regard (Ge 19:1, 2). Abraham bowed down to the Canaanite sons of Heth from whom he sought to buy a burial place.&quot;

In doing some research on this subject I found the following blog to be very helpful.  The answer I will quote from may have been given by a Jehovah’s Witness since they direct readers to jw.org for further information..
https://www.question.com/what-root-word-does-worship-come-from-and-what-it-1124088.html
I will only quote a few (in my view pertinent) statements.

True worship of the Creator embraces every aspect of an individual’s life.
Hebrew and Greek Terms.
Most Hebrew and Greek words that can denote worship can also be applied to acts other than worship. However, the context determines in what way the respective words are to be understood.&quot;

I agree, context is key and is always key in how we understand, define and interpret Scripture.

Worship That Is Acceptable to God. Jehovah God accepts only the worship of those who comport themselves in harmony with his will. (Mt 15:9; Mark 7:7) . Having become acquainted with God through the Bible and evidence of the operation of God’s spirit in his life, the person who worships with spirit and truth definitely ‘knows what he is worshiping.&quot;

Jesus says the following at Luke 4:8, &quot;It is written, &quot;You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.&quot; The word for worship is &quot;proskuneo&quot; which refers to worship or adoration of God alone and Him only in the immediate context.
Then at Hebrews 1:6, God the Father says, &quot;And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says, &quot;And Let all the Angels of God &quot;proskuneo/worship&quot; Him.&quot;
To me, one of the highest forms of worship can be found at John 20:28 when Thomas declared to Jesus Christ Himself, &quot;My Lord and my God.&quot;
Another &quot;highest&quot; form of worship can be found at Acts 7:59-60 and what Stephen said in his dying breath. &quot;And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!&quot; Verse 60, And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice. Lord, do not hold this sin against them!&quot; And having said this, he fell asleep.&quot;
It's pretty obvious to me by looking at these Scriptures one can determine the difference between paying &quot;obeisance&quot; like what Abraham did at Genesis 18:2, and God the Father saying His Son should be &quot;worshipped.&quot;
After all, Jesus did say at John 5:22-23, &quot;For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, verse 23, in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father, He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Me.&quot;