1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a a slip-knot with a double loop. b a ribbon, shoelace, etc., tied with this. c a decoration (on clothing, or painted etc.) in the form of a bow.
2 a device for shooting arrows with a taut string joining the ends of a curved piece of wood etc.
3 a a rod with horsehair stretched along its length, used for playing the violin, cello, etc. b a single stroke of a bow over strings.
4 a a shallow curve or bend. b a rainbow.
5 saddle-bow.
6 a metal ring forming the handle of scissors, a key, etc.
7 US the side-piece of a spectacle-frame.
8 Archery BOWMAN(1).
--v.tr. (also absol.) use a bow on (a violin etc.) (he bowed vigorously).
Phrases and idioms:
bow-compass (or -compasses) compasses with jointed legs. bow-legged having bandy legs. bow-legs bandy legs. bow-saw Carpentry a narrow saw stretched like a bowstring on a light frame. bow-tie a necktie in the form of a bow (sense 1). bow-window a curved bay window. two strings to one's bow a twofold resource.
Etymology: OE boga f. Gmc: cf. BOW(2) 2. 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.
Phrases and idioms:
bow 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.
Etymology: OE bugan, f. Gmc: cf. BOW(1) 3. n. Naut.
1. (often in pl.) the fore-end of a boat or a ship.
2 BOWMAN(2).
Phrases and idioms:
bow wave a wave set up at the bows of a moving ship or in front of a body moving in air. on the bow within 45° of the point directly ahead. shot across the bows a warning.
Etymology: LG boog, Du. boeg, ship's bow, orig. shoulder: see BOUGH