bow

I

[[t]baʊ[/t]]

v. i.

1) to bend the knee or body or incline the head, as in reverence, submission, or salutation

2) to yield; submit:

to bow to the inevitable[/ex]

3) to bend or curve downward; stoop:

The pines bowed low[/ex]

4) to bend or incline (the knee, body, or head) in worship, submission, respect, civility, etc

5) to cause to submit; subdue; crush

6) to cause to stoop or incline

7) to express by a bow:

to bow one's thanks[/ex]

8) to usher (someone) with a bow:

They were bowed in by the footman[/ex]

9) to cause to bend; make curved or crooked

10) phv bow out, to withdraw by choice, as from a task; retire

11) an inclination of the head or body in salutation, assent, thanks, reverence, submission, etc

•

- bow and scrape

Etymology: bef. 900; ME bowen (v.), OE būgan; c. D buigen II

bow

[[t]boʊ[/t]] n.

1) a flexible strip of wood or other material, bent by a string stretched between its ends, for shooting arrows

2) spo a bend or curve

3) navig. tex a readily loosened knot for joining the ends of a ribbon or string, having two projecting loops

4) a loop or gathering of ribbon, paper, etc., used as a decoration

5) mad a flexible rod having horsehairs stretched from end to end, used for playing a musical instrument of the viol or violin families

6) something curved or arc-shaped

7) an archer; bowman

8) oph

temple II, 2)

9) rainbow

10) a U-shaped piece for placing under an animal's neck to hold a yoke

11) curved outward at the center; bent:

bow legs[/ex]

12) to bend into the form of a bow; curve

13) mad to perform with a bow on a stringed instrument

•

Etymology: bef. 1000; ME bowe (n.), OE boga bow′less, adj. III

bow

[[t]baʊ[/t]] n.

1) aer.

naut. navig. the forward end of a vessel or airship

2) navig. the foremost oar in rowing a boat

3) naut. navig. of or pertaining to the bow of a ship

•

Etymology: 1620–30; < LG boog (n.) or D boeg or Dan bov; see bough