bow

bow¹ / bō/ • n. 1. a knot tied with two loops and two loose ends, used esp. for tying shoelaces and decorative ribbons: a girl with long hair tied back in a bow. ∎  a decorative ribbon tied in such a knot. 2. a weapon for shooting arrows, typically made of a curved piece of wood whose ends are joined by a taut string. 3. a long, partially curved rod with horsehair stretched along its length, used for playing the violin and other stringed instruments. 4. a thing that is bent or curved in shape. ∎  a side piece or lens frame of a pair of glasses. • v. 1. [tr.] play (a stringed instrument or music) using a bow: the techniques by which the pieces were bowed. 2. bend into the shape of a bow: the sides of the image are squeezed in or bowed out. bow² / bou/ • v. [intr.] bend the head or upper part of the body as a sign of respect, greeting, or shame: he turned and bowed to his father [tr.] she knelt and bowed her head. ∎  [tr.] express (thanks, agreement, or other sentiments) by bending one's head respectfully: he looked at Hector before bowing grave thanks. ∎  [intr.] bend the body in order to see or concentrate: [as adj.] my mother sat bowed over a library book. ∎  [tr.] cause (something) to bend with age or under a heavy weight: the vines were bowed down with flowers [intr.] the grass bowed down before the wind. ∎  submit to pressure or to someone's demands: the mayor bowed to public opinion. • n. an act of bending the head or upper body as a sign of respect or greeting: the man gave a little bow. PHRASES: bow and scrape behave in an obsequious way to someone in authority. take a bow (of an actor or entertainer) acknowledge applause after a performance by bowing: fig. the aides do the grind work while the boss takes the bows. PHRASAL VERBS: bow out withdraw or retire from an activity, role, or commitment: many artists are forced to bow out of the profession at a relatively early age. bow³ / bou/ (also bows) • n. the front end of a ship: water sprayed high over her bows.