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
4a : to express by bending the head, body, or knee : to express by bowing bowing his appreciationb : to usher in or out with a bow (see 2bow)
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Origin and Etymology of bow
Middle English, from Old English būgan; akin to Old High German biogan to bend, Sanskrit bhujati he bends
bow
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
Definition of bow
1a : something bent into a simple curve or arcb : 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
4a : 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 loopsc : bow tie 1d : 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 familyb : 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
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
Origin and Etymology of bow
Middle English bowe, bowgh, probably from Middle Dutch boech bow, shoulder; akin to Old English bōg bough
Bow
playDefinition of Bow
river 315 miles (507 kilometers) long in southwestern Alberta, Canada, rising in Banff National Park
BOW Defined for Kids
Definition of bow for Students
: the act of bending the head or body to express politeness or respect
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)
Definition of bow for Students
bowed
;bowing
: to bend or cause to bend into a curve The wall bows out.
Medical Dictionary
bow
playMedical 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
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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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