Bow Definition

bou
bowed, bowing, bows
noun
bows
Either of the sides of this front section.
The starboard bow.
American Heritage
A bending down of the head or body, as in respect or greeting.
Webster's New World
A curve; bend.
Webster's New World
Anything curved or bent.
A rainbow, oxbow.
Webster's New World
A device for shooting arrows, made of a flexible, curved strip of wood, metal, etc. with a tightly drawn cord connecting the two ends.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
bowed, bowing, bows
To bend or stoop.
Webster's New World
To bend down one's head or bend one's body in respect, agreement, worship, recognition, etc.
Webster's New World
To bend (one's head) down in respect, prayer, shame, etc.
Webster's New World
To yield or submit, as to authority.
Webster's New World
To indicate (agreement, thanks, etc.) by bowing.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
adjective
Bow-shaped; curved; bent.
Webster's New World
idiom
bow and scrape
  • To behave obsequiously.
American Heritage
bow and scrape
  • to be too polite and ingratiating
Webster's New World
bow out
  • to leave or retire formally or ceremoniously
Webster's New World
bow out (<i>or</i> in)
  • to usher out (or in) with a bow
Webster's New World
take a bow
  • to acknowledge an introduction, applause, etc. as by bowing
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Bow

Noun

Singular:
bow
Plural:
bows

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Bow

Origin of Bow

  • From Old English būgan, from Proto-Germanic *beuganą, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰūgʰ- (“to bend”). Cognate with Dutch buigen, German biegen, Danish bue.

    From Wiktionary

  • From Old English boga, from Proto-Germanic *bugô. Cognate with West Frisian boge, Dutch boog, German Bogen, Danish bue, Swedish båge.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English bowen from Old English būgan bheug- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English boue probably of Low German origin bheug- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English bowe from Old English boga bheug- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle Dutch boech or Old Norse bógr.

    From Wiktionary

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