- bow
- bowbow1 [bou]vi.[ME bouen < OE bugan, to bend < IE base * bheugh-, to bend > Ger biegen; the BOW1 n. is 17th c.]1. Dial. to bend or stoop2. to bend down one's head or bend one's body in respect, agreement, worship, recognition, etc.3. to yield or submit, as to authority4. to express assent, greeting, etc. by bowingvt.1. Dial. to bend2. to bend (one's head) down in respect, prayer, shame, etc.3. to indicate (agreement, thanks, etc.) by bowing4. to weigh (down); overwhelm; crush [the president was bowed down by the burdens of office]n.a bending down of the head or body, as in respect or greeting——————bow and scrapeto be too polite and ingratiating——————bow outto leave or retire formally or ceremoniously——————bow out or bow into usher out (or in) with a bow——————take a bowto acknowledge an introduction, applause, etc. as by bowingbow2 [bō]n.[ME boue < OE boga < PGmc * boga < base of BOW1]1. anything curved or bent [a rainbow, oxbow]2. a curve; bend3. a device for shooting arrows, made of a flexible, curved strip of wood, metal, etc. with a tightly drawn cord connecting the two ends4. an archer5.a) a slender stick strung along its length with horsehairs, drawn across the strings of a violin, cello, etc. to play itb) a stroke with such a bow6. a bowknot or a decorative knot, as of ribbon, with two or more loops7. either of the sidepieces of a pair of glasses extending over the ears; templeadj.bow-shaped; curved; bentvt., vi.1. to bend or curve in the shape of a bow [the wall bowed outward from the pressure]2. Music to play (a violin, etc.) with a bowbow3 [bou]n.[ME boue < LowG or Scand: LowG būg, Du boeg, Swed bog, shoulder, shoulders of a ship, bows; akin to BOUGH]1. [sometimes pl.] the front part of a ship, boat, or airship; prow2. the rower nearest the bow3. Naut. a direction at a 45° angle left or right from dead ahead [a whale sighted on the port bow]
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.