bow

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

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

bow

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

bow

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

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

bow

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Bow

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

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

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

verb \ ˈbō \

Definition of bow for Students

bowed; bowing

: to bend or cause to bend into a curve

The wall bows out.

bow

noun \ ˈbau̇ \

Definition of bow for Students

: the forward part of a ship

Medical Dictionary

bow

noun \ ˈbō \

medical Definition of bow

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

Learn More about bow

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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bow

Definition of bow

Origin and Etymology of bow

bow

Definition of bow

Origin and Etymology of bow

bow

Definition of bow

Origin and Etymology of bow

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

bow

Definition of bow

Origin and Etymology of bow

bow

Definition of bow

Origin and Etymology of bow

Bow

Definition of Bow

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BOW Defined for Kids

bow

Definition of bow for Students

bow

Definition of bow for Students

bow

Definition of bow for Students

bow

Definition of bow for Students

bow

Definition of bow for Students

Medical Dictionary

bow

medical Definition of bow

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