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bow1 by Collins

  1. 1) verb, to lower (one's head) or bend (one's knee or body) as a sign of respect, greeting, assent, or shame
  2. 2) verb, to bend or cause to bend; incline downwards
  3. 3) verb, to comply or accept
  4. 4) verb, to usher (someone) into or out of a place with bows and deference
  5. 5) verb, to bring (a person, nation, etc) to a state of submission
  6. 6) verb, bow and scrape to behave in an excessively deferential or obsequious way
  7. 7) noun, a lowering or inclination of the head or body as a mark of respect, greeting, or assent
  8. 8) noun, take a bow to acknowledge or receive applause or praise ▷ See also bow out

Etymology

Old English būgan, related to Old Norse bjūgr bent, Old High German biogan to bend, Dutch buigen

bow2 by Collins

  1. 1) noun, a weapon for shooting arrows, consisting of an arch of flexible wood, plastic, metal, etc bent by a string (bowstring) fastened at each end. See also crossbow
  2. 2) noun, a) 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 b) a stroke with such a stick
  3. 3) noun, a) a decorative interlacing of ribbon or other fabrics, usually having two loops and two loose ends b) the knot forming such an interlacing; bowknot
  4. 4) noun, a) something that is curved, bent, or arched b) (in combination)
  5. 5) noun, a person who uses a bow and arrow; archer
  6. 6) noun, a) a frame of a pair of spectacles b) a sidepiece of the frame of a pair of spectacles that curls round behind the ear
  7. 7) noun, a metal ring forming the handle of a pair of scissors or of a large old-fashioned key
  8. 8) noun, architect part of a building curved in the form of a bow. See also bow window
  9. 9) verb, to form or cause to form a curve or curves
  10. 10) verb, to make strokes of a bow across (violin strings)

Etymology

Old English boga arch, bow; related to Old Norse bogi a bow, Old High German bogo, Old Irish bocc, and bow1

bow3 by Collins

  1. 1) noun, chiefly nautical a) the forward end or part of a vessel b) (as modifier)
  2. 2) noun, rowing. short for bowman
  3. 3) noun, on the port (or starboard) bow nautical within 45 degrees to the port (or starboard) of straight ahead
  4. 4) noun, a shot across someone's bows a warning

Etymology

C15: probably from Low German boog; related to Dutch boeg, Danish bov ship's bow, shoulder; see bough


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Related words

Synonyms

bend, bob, nod, inclination, salaam, obeisance, kowtow, genuflect, bend, bob, nod, incline, stoop, droop, genuflect, Nautical prow, head, stem, fore, beak

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