bower

¹bow·er

noun \ˈbau̇(-ə)r\

Definition of BOWER

1

: an attractive dwelling or retreat

2

: a lady's private apartment in a medieval hall or castle

3

: a shelter (as in a garden) made with tree boughs or vines twined together : arbor

— bow·ery \-ē\ adjective

Origin of BOWER

Middle English bour dwelling, from Old English būr; akin to Old English & Old High German būan to dwell, Old English bēon to be — more at be

First Known Use: before 12th century

²bower

transitive verb

Definition of BOWER

: embower, enclose

Examples of BOWER

1. <bowered by a canopy of grapevines, we enjoyed a serene and very private picnic>

First Known Use of BOWER

1592

Related to BOWER

Synonyms

bosom, enfold, circumfuse, cocoon, embosom, embower, embrace, enclose (also inclose), encompass, enshroud, enswathe, envelop, enwrap, invest, involve, lap, mantle, muffle, shroud, swathe, veil, wrap

Related Words

curtain, drape; embed (also imbed), encase; swaddle; blanket, overlay, overspread; camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask; circle, encircle, enlace, enwind

Near Antonyms

bare, denude, expose, strip

Rhymes with BOWER

dower, flour, flower, glower, lower, power, scour, shower, sour, Stour, tour, tower

³bower

noun

Definition of BOWER

: an anchor carried at the bow of a ship

First Known Use of BOWER

1652