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

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

1 :  to bend into a curve the wall bows a little

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

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

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

2 nautical :  ²bowman

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

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.

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

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)

:  to bend or cause to bend into a curve The wall bows out.

:  the forward part of a ship

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