1. to bend the knee or body or incline the head, as in reverence, submission, salutation, recognition, or acknowledgment.
2. to yield; submit: to bow to the inevitable.
3. to bend or curve downward; stoop: the pines bowed low.

4. to bend or incline (the knee, body, or head) in worship, submission, respect, civility, agreement, etc.: He bowed his head to the crowd.
5. to cause to submit; subdue; crush.
6. to cause to stoop or incline: Age had bowed his head.
7. to express by a bow: to bow one's thanks.
8. to usher (someone) with a bow (usually followed by in, out, etc.): They were bowed in by the footman.
9. to cause to bend; make curved or crooked.

10. an inclination of the head or body in salutation, assent, thanks, reverence, respect, submission, etc.

11. to resign a position or withdraw from a job, competition, obligation, etc.: He bowed out after two terms as governor.

12. to be excessively polite or deferential.
13. to appear publicly for the first time, as a performer, politician, etc.: The young pianist made her bow last night to an appreciative audience.
14. to step forward or stand up in order to receive recognition, applause, etc.: The conductor had the soloists take a bow.

1. a flexible strip of wood or other material, bent by a string stretched between its ends, for shooting arrows: He drew the bow and sent the arrow to its target.
2. an instrument resembling this, used for various purposes, as rotating a drill or spindle, or loosening entangled or matted fibers.
3. a bend or curve.
4. a looped knot composed of two or more loops and two ends, as for tying together the ends of a ribbon or string.
5. any separate piece of looped, knotted, or shaped gathering of ribbon, cloth, paper, etc., used as a decoration, as on a package, dress, or the like.
6. a long rod, originally curved but now nearly straight, with horsehairs stretched from one end to the other, used for playing on a musical instrument of the violin and viol families.
7. a single movement of such a device over the strings of a violin, viol, or the like.
8. bow tie (def. 1).
9. something curved or arc-shaped.
10. a saddlebow.
11. an archer; bowman: He is the best bow in the county.
12. temple² (def. 3).
13. a U-shaped piece for placing under an animal's neck to hold a yoke.
14. a flexible rod used for laying out large curves.
15. the part of a key grasped by the fingers.
16. the loop on the stem of a watch by which the watch is attached to a chain or the like.
17. a rainbow.

18. curved outward at the center; bent: bow legs.

19. to bend into the form of a bow; curve.
20. to perform by means of a bow upon a stringed instrument.
21. to loosen by passing a vibrating bow among entangled fibers.

1. Nautical, Aeronautics.
• the forward end of a vessel or airship.
• either side of this forward end, especially with reference to the direction of a distant object: a mooring two points off the port bow.
2. the exterior of the forward end of a vessel, especially one in which the hull slopes back on both sides of the stem.
3. the foremost oar in rowing a boat.
4. the person who pulls the foremost oar.

5. of or relating to the bow of a ship.

6. (of a ship) with the bow foremost: The vessel approached us bows on.
7. (of a ship) shipping water at the bow: The ship was bows under during most of the storm.
8. within 45° to the heading of the vessel.

1. U.S. film actress: known as the “It Girl.”

1. to lower (one's head) or bend (one's knee or body) as a sign of respect, greeting, assent, or shame
2. to bend or cause to bend; incline downwards
3. to comply or accept
4. to usher (someone) into or out of a place with bows and deference
5. to bring (a person, nation, etc) to a state of submission
6. to behave in an excessively deferential or obsequious way

7. a lowering or inclination of the head or body as a mark of respect, greeting, or assent
8. to acknowledge or receive applause or praise

1. a weapon for shooting arrows, consisting of an arch of flexible wood, plastic, metal, etc bent by a string (bowstring) fastened at each end
• a long slightly curved stick across which are stretched strands of horsehair, used for playing the strings of a violin, viola, cello, or related instrument
• a stroke with such a stick
• a decorative interlacing of ribbon or other fabrics, usually having two loops and two loose ends
• the knot forming such an interlacing; bowknot
• something that is curved, bent, or arched
• (in combination)
5. a person who uses a bow and arrow; archer
6. US
• a frame of a pair of spectacles
• a sidepiece of the frame of a pair of spectacles that curls round behind the ear
7. a metal ring forming the handle of a pair of scissors or of a large old-fashioned key
8. part of a building curved in the form of a bow

9. to form or cause to form a curve or curves
10. to make strokes of a bow across (violin strings)

1. mainly nautical
• the forward end or part of a vessel
• (as modifier)
2. rowing short for bowman 2
3. within 45 degrees to the port of straight ahead
4. within 45 degrees to the starboard of straight ahead
5. a warning

1. Clara, known as the It Girl . 1905–65, US film actress, noted for her vivacity and sex appeal

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