bow

bow

bow¹ [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 stoop

2. to bend down one's head or bend one's body in respect, agreement, worship, recognition, etc.

3. to yield or submit, as to authority

4. to express assent, greeting, etc. by bowing

vt.

1. Dial. to bend

2. to bend (one's head) down in respect, prayer, shame, etc.

3. to indicate (agreement, thanks, etc.) by bowing

4. 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 scrape

to be too polite and ingratiating

——————

bow out

to leave or retire formally or ceremoniously

——————

bow out or bow in

to usher out (or in) with a bow

——————

take a bow

to acknowledge an introduction, applause, etc. as by bowing

bow² [bō]

n.

[ME boue < OE boga < PGmc * boga < base of BOW¹]

1. anything curved or bent [a rainbow, oxbow]

2. a curve; bend

3. a device for shooting arrows, made of a flexible, curved strip of wood, metal, etc. with a tightly drawn cord connecting the two ends

4. an archer

5.

a) a slender stick strung along its length with horsehairs, drawn across the strings of a violin, cello, etc. to play it

b) a stroke with such a bow

6. a bowknot or a decorative knot, as of ribbon, with two or more loops

7. either of the sidepieces of a pair of glasses extending over the ears; temple

adj.

bow-shaped; curved; bent

vt., 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 bow

bow³ [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; prow

2. the rower nearest the bow

3. Naut. a direction at a 45° angle left or right from dead ahead [a whale sighted on the port bow]