bow

¹bow

verb \ˈbau̇\

Definition of BOW

intransitive verb

1

: to cease from competition or resistance : submit, yield <refusing to bow to the inevitable — John O'Hara>; also : to suffer defeat <bowed to the champion>

2

: to bend the head, body, or knee in reverence, submission, or shame

3

: to incline the head or body in salutation or assent or to acknowledge applause

4

: debut <the play will bow next month>

transitive verb

1

: to cause to incline

2

: to incline (as the head) especially in respect or submission

3

: to crush with a heavy burden

4

a : to express by bowing b : to usher in or out with a bow

Origin of BOW

Middle English, from Old English būgan; akin to Old High German biogan to bend, Sanskrit bhujati he bends

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with BOW

bough, brow, Chao, chow, ciao, cow, dhow, Dou, dow, Dow, Frau, hao, how, howe, jow, Lao, Liao, mow, now, ow, plow, pow, prau, prow, Rao, row, scow, slough, sough, sow, Tao, tau, thou, vow, wow