BOW

v. & n. --v. 1 intr. incline the head or trunk, esp. in greeting or assent or acknowledgement of applause. 2 intr. submit (bowed to the inevitable). 3 tr. cause to incline (bowed his head; bowed his will to hers). 4 tr. express (thanks, assent, etc.) by bowing (bowed agreement to the plan). 5 tr. (foll. by in, out) usher or escort obsequiously (bowed us out of the restaurant). --n. an inclining of the head or body in greeting, assent, or in the acknowledgement of applause, etc. øbow and scrape be obsequious; fawn. bow down 1 bend or kneel in submission or reverence (bowed down before the king). 2 (usu. in passive) make stoop; crush (was bowed down by care). bowing acquaintance a person one acknowledges but does not know well enough to speak to. bow out 1 make one's exit (esp. formally). 2 retreat, withdraw; retire gracefully. make one's bow make a formal exit or entrance. take a bow acknowledge applause. [OE bugan, f. Gmc: cf. BOW(1)]