Pronunciation: (bou), [key]
2. to yield; submit: to bow to the inevitable.
3. to bend or curve downward; stoop: the pines bowed low.

2. to cause to submit; subdue; crush.
6. to cause to bend; make curved or crooked.



Pronunciation: (bō), [key]
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. Also called bowknot. 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. See bow tie.
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. Building Trades.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.

curved outward at the center; bent: bow legs.

v.t., v.i.
1. to bend into the form of a bow; curve.
2. perform by means of a bow upon a stringed instrument.
3. Textiles loosen by passing a vibrating bow among entangled fibers.


Pronunciation: (bou), [key]
1. Naut., Aeron.
a. the forward end of a vessel or airship.
b. either side of this forward end, esp. with reference to the direction of a distant object: a mooring two points off the port bow.
2. bows, Naut.the exterior of the forward end of a vessel, esp. one in which the hull slopes back on both sides of the stem.
3. the foremost oar in rowing a boat.
4. Also called bowman, bow oar. the person who pulls that oar.
5. bows on, (of a ship) with the bow foremost: The vessel approached us bows on.
6. bows under, (of a ship) shipping water at the bow: The ship was bows under during most of the storm.
7. on the bow, Naut.within 45° to the heading of the vessel.

of or pertaining to the bow of a ship.


Pronunciation: (bō), [key]
Clara, 1905–65, U.S. film actress: known as the “It Girl.”


bovverbow back
See also:
  • bow (Thesaurus)


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