bow

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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

Bow before the king.

bowed her head in shame

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

bowing to the audience

4 :debut

the play will bow next month

transitive verb

1 :to cause to incline

wind bowing the treetops

2 :to incline especially in respect or submission

bow their heads in prayer

3 :to crush with a heavy burden

whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave Shakespeare

4 a :to express by bending the head, body, or knee :to express by bowing

bowing his appreciation

b :to usher in or out with a bow (see ²bow)

Origin and Etymology of bow

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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bow

noun

Definition of bow

:a bending of the head or body in respect, submission, assent, or salutation; also :a show of respect or submission

smiled and gave a bow

Origin and Etymology of bow

see ¹bow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1656

See Words from the same year

bow

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noun \ ˈbō \

Definition of bow

1 a :something bent into a simple curve or arc

b :rainbow

2 :a weapon that is used to propel an arrow and that is made of a strip of flexible material (such as wood) with a cord connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent

hunting with bow and arrow

3 :archer

4 a :a metal ring or loop forming a handle (as of a key)

b :a knot formed by doubling a ribbon or string into two or more loops

c :bow tie 1

d :a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses; also :the sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear

5 music

a :a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used in playing an instrument of the viol or violin family

b :a stroke of such a bow

on the up bow

Origin and Etymology of bow

Middle English bowe, from Old English boga; akin to Old English būgan

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

bow

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verb \ ˈbō \

Definition of bow

intransitive verb

1 :to bend into a curve

the wall bows a little

2 music :to play a stringed instrument with a bow (see ³bow 5a)

transitive verb

1 :to cause to bend into a curve

Years of riding had bowed his legs.

2 music :to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow

bowing the strings

Origin and Etymology of bow

see ³bow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

bow

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noun \ ˈbau̇ \

Definition of bow

1 nautical :the forward part of a ship —often used in plural

crossing the bows

2 nautical :²bowman

Origin and Etymology of bow

Middle English bowe, bowgh, probably from Middle Dutch boech bow, shoulder; akin to Old English bōg bough

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1626

See Words from the same year

Bow

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geographical name \ ˈbō \

Definition of Bow

river 315 miles (507 kilometers) long in southwestern Alberta, Canada, rising in Banff National Park

BOW Defined for Kids

bow

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verb \ ˈbau̇ \

Definition of bow for Students

bowed; bowing

1 :to bend the head or body as an act of politeness or respect

2 :to stop resisting :yield

He bowed to pressure to resign.

bow

noun

Definition of bow for Students

:the act of bending the head or body to express politeness or respect

bow

play

noun \ ˈbō \

Definition of bow for Students

1 :a weapon used for shooting arrows and usually made of a strip of wood bent by a cord connecting the two ends

2 :something shaped in a curve

3 :a knot made with one or more loops

Tie the ribbon in a bow.

4 :a rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used for playing a stringed instrument (as a violin)

bow

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verb \ ˈbō \

Definition of bow for Students

bowed; bowing

:to bend or cause to bend into a curve

The wall bows out.

bow

play

noun \ ˈbau̇ \

Definition of bow for Students

:the forward part of a ship

Medical Dictionary

bow

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noun \ ˈbō \

medical Definition of bow

:a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses; also :the curved sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear

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See words that rhyme with bow Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bow Spanish Central: Translation of bow Nglish: Translation of bow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bow for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bow

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Medical Dictionary

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