~ 1 [ bəʊ ]
■ noun
1》 a knot tied with two loops and two loose ends.
2》 a weapon for shooting arrows, made of a curved piece of wood joined at both ends by a taut string.
3》 a partially curved rod with horsehair stretched along its length, used for playing some stringed instruments.
4》 a curved stroke forming part of a letter (e.g. b , p ).
5》 a metal ring forming the handle of a key or pair of scissors.
6》 N. Amer. a side piece or lens frame of a pair of glasses.
■ verb play (a stringed instrument) using a ~.
Phrases
have (or add ) another string to one's ~ Brit. have a further resource available.
Origin
OE boga 'bend, ~, arch', of Gmc origin; related to ~ 2 .
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~ 2 [ baʊ ]
■ verb
1》 bend the head or upper body as a sign of respect, greeting, or shame.
2》 bend or cause to bend with age or under a heavy weight.
3》 submit to pressure or demands.
4》 ( ~ out ) withdraw or retire from something.
■ noun an act of ~ing.
Phrases
~ and scrape behave obsequiously.
make one's ~ make one's first formal appearance in a particular role.
take a ~ acknowledge applause by ~ing.
Origin
OE būgan 'bend, stoop', of Gmc origin; related to ~ 1 .
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~ 3 [ baʊ ]
(also ~s )
■ noun the front end of a ship.
Phrases
on the ~ Nautical within 45° of the point directly ahead.
a shot across the ~s a warning statement or gesture.
Origin
ME: from Low Ger. boog , Du. boeg , 'shoulder or ship's ~'; related to bough .