Sentence:  The situation in the case of actions which are non-linguistic but similar to performative utterances in that they are the performance of a conventional action (here ritual or ceremonial) is rather like this: suppose I bow deeply before you; it might not be clear whether I am doing <WSD>obeisance</WSD> to you or, say, stooping to observe the flora or to ease my indigestion. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Demonstration of an obedient attitude, especially by bowing deeply; a deep bow which demonstrates such an attitude.