bower

views updated Jun 11 2018

bower.
1. Room in medieval houses for the exclusive use of women, therefore the precursor of the boudoir.

2. Small dwelling in the country, or a cottage, therefore a cottage orné or deliberately rustic building in a Romantic, Picturesque landscape.

3. Gazebo or other similar garden-building.

4. Shady recess, leafy covert, or place closed in or overarched with branches, deliberately created to look ‘natural’ in a garden or landscape.

bower

views updated May 18 2018

bow·er / ˈbou(-ə)r/ • n. a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a garden or wood.bow·er2 (also bower anchor) • n. each of two anchors carried at a ship's bow.

bower

views updated May 23 2018

bower1 †dwelling; inner apartment, lady's apartment OE.; arbour XVI. OE. būr = OS., OHG. būr (G. bauer birdcage), ON. búr :- Gmc. *būraz, -am, f. *bū- dwell :- IE. *bhū- (see BE).

bower

views updated Jun 11 2018

bower2 either of two anchors carried at the bows. XVII. In full bower anchor, f. BOW3 + -ER1.