BOW

n. arc; rainbow; bending forward of the head or body; front end of a ship; rod with horsehair stretched between its two ends (used to play the violin); weapon from which arrows are shot; bowknot

v. play music using a bow; prostrate one self, bend down

adj. pertaining to the forward section of a vessel

Bow may mean: Bow (knot), a type of knotBow tie, a piece of decorative clothing (like neck tie)Bow (weapon), an archery weapon that uses elasticity to propel arrowsBow (music), a device used to play a stringed instrumentMusical bow, a musical instrument resembling an archer's bow, not to be confused with the bow used to play a stringed instrumentE-bow, a hand-held, battery-powered electronic device for playing the electric guitarBow (composite materials), a conditional longitudinal curvature in pulltruded parts
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Noun
1. a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
(synonym) bowknot
(hypernym) knot
2. a slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut horsehair strands, used in playing certain stringed instrument
(hypernym) stick
(hyponym) fiddlestick, violin bow
3. front part of a vessel or aircraft; "he pointed the bow of the boat toward the finish line"
(synonym) fore, prow, stem
(hypernym) front
(part-holonym) vessel, watercraft
4. curved piece of resilient wood with taut cord to propel arrows
(hypernym) weapon, arm, weapon system
(hyponym) crossbow
(part-holonym) bow and arrow
(part-meronym) bowstring
5. something curved in shape
(synonym) arc
(hypernym) curve, curved shape
(hyponym) rainbow
6. bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame
(synonym) bowing, obeisance
(hypernym) gesture, motion
(hyponym) curtsy, curtsey
(derivation) crouch, stoop, bend
7. an appearance by actors or performers at the end of the concert or play in order to acknowledge the applause of the audience
(synonym) curtain call
(hypernym) thanks
8. a decorative interlacing of ribbons
(hypernym) decoration, ornament, ornamentation
9. a stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments
(hypernym) stroke
(hyponym) down-bow
Verb
1. bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head; "He bowed before the King"; "She bowed her head in shame"
(synonym) bow down
(hypernym) gesticulate, gesture, motion
(hyponym) congee, conge
(derivation) bowing, obeisance
2. submit or yield to another's wish or opinion; "The government bowed to the military pressure"
(synonym) submit, defer, accede, give in
(hypernym) yield, give in, succumb, knuckle under, buckle under
3. bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King"
(hypernym) change posture
(hyponym) take a bow
(see-also) prostrate, bow down
(derivation) bowing, obeisance
4. bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse"
(synonym) crouch, stoop, bend
(hypernym) bend, flex
(hyponym) squinch
(entail) change posture
(derivation) bowing, obeisance
5. play on a string instrument
(hypernym) play
(classification) music

(n.)
An inclination of the head, or a bending of the body, in token of reverence, respect, civility, or submission; an obeisance; as, a bow of deep humility.
  

(n.)
One who rows in the forward part of a boat; the bow oar.
  

(n.)
The bending or rounded part of a ship forward; the stream or prow.
  

(sing. or pl.)
Two pieces of wood which form the arched forward part of a saddletree.
  

(v. i. )
To manage the bow.
  

(v. i.)
To bend the head, knee, or body, in token of reverence or submission; -- often with down.
  

(v. i.)
To bend; to curve.
  

(v. i.)
To incline the head in token of salutation, civility, or assent; to make bow.
  

(v. i.)
To play (music) with a bow.
  

(v. i.)
To stop.
  

(v. t.)
A rude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's altitude at sea.
  

(v. t.)
A weapon made of a strip of wood, or other elastic material, with a cord connecting the two ends, by means of which an arrow is propelled.
  

(v. t.)
An appliance consisting of an elastic rod, with a number of horse hairs stretched from end to end of it, used in playing on a stringed instrument.
  

(v. t.)
An arcograph.
  

(v. t.)
An ornamental knot, with projecting loops, formed by doubling a ribbon or string.
  

(v. t.)
Any instrument consisting of an elastic rod, with ends connected by a string, employed for giving reciprocating motion to a drill, or for preparing and arranging the hair, fur, etc., used by hatters.
  

(v. t.)
Anything bent, or in the form of a curve, as the rainbow.
  

(v. t.)
The U-shaped piece which embraces the neck of an ox and fastens it to the yoke.
  

(v. t.)
To bend or incline, as the head or body, in token of respect, gratitude, assent, homage, or condescension.
  

(v. t.)
To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress, to crush; to subdue.
  

(v. t.)
To cause to deviate from straightness; to bend; to inflect; to make crooked or curved.
  

(v. t.)
To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.
  

(v. t.)
To express by bowing; as, to bow one's thanks.
  

The front of a vessel. (MARAD2)