[bow] vb [ME, fr. OE bugan; akin to OHG biogan to bend, Skt bhujati he bends] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to cease from competition or resistance: submit, yield "refusing to ~ to the inevitable --John O'Hara"; also: to suffer defeat "~ed to the champion"
2: to bend the head, body, or knee in reverence, submission, or shame
3: to incline the head or body in salutation or assent or to acknowledge applause ~ vt 1: to cause to incline
2: to incline (as the head) esp. in respect or submission
3: to crush with a heavy burden
4. a: to express by bowing b: to usher in or out with a bow
[2]bow n (ca. 1656): a bending of the head or body in respect, submission, assent, or salutation; also: a show of respect or submission [3]bow n [ME bowe, fr. OE boga; akin to OE bugan] (bef. 12c) 1 a: something bent into a simple curve: bend, arch b: rainbow
2: a weapon that is made of a strip of flexible material (as wood) with a cord connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent and that is used to propel an 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 d: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses; also: the sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
5. 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 [4]bow vi (bef. 12c) 1: to bend into a curve
2: to play a stringed musical instrument with a bow ~ vt 1: to cause to bend into a curve
2: to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow [5]bow n [ME bowe, bowgh, prob. fr. MD boech bow, shoulder; akin to OE bog bough] (15c) 1: the forward part of a ship
2:
[2]bowman