I. ˈbau̇ verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English būgan; akin to Old High German biogan to bend, Sanskrit bhujati he bends
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to cease from competition or resistance : submit , yield
refusing to bow to the inevitable — John O'Hara
also : to suffer defeat
bow 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
4. : debut
the play will bow next month
transitive verb
1. : to cause to incline
2. : to incline (as the head) especially 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
II. noun
Date: circa 1656
: a bending of the head or body in respect, submission, assent, or salutation ; also : a show of respect or submission
III. ˈbō noun
Etymology: Middle English bowe, from Old English boga; akin to Old English būgan
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : something bent into a simple curve
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 1
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
IV. ˈbō verb
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to bend into a curve
2. : to play a stringed musical instrument with a bow
transitive verb
1. : to cause to bend into a curve
2. : to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow
V. ˈbau̇ noun
Etymology: Middle English bowe, bowgh, probably from Middle Dutch boech bow, shoulder; akin to Old English bōg bough
Date: 15th century
1. : the forward part of a ship — often used in plural
crossing the bow s
2. : bowman II