First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1bow
verb \ˈbau̇\
Definition of BOW
intransitive verb
1
2
: to bend the head, body, or knee in reverence, submission, or shame
3
: to incline the head or body in salutation or assent or to acknowledge applause
4
: debut <the play will bow next month>
transitive verb
1
: to cause to incline
2
: to incline (as the head) especially in respect or submission
3
: to crush with a heavy burden
4
a : to express by bowing b : to usher in or out with a bow
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Origin of BOW
Middle English, from Old English būgan; akin to Old High German biogan to bend, Sanskrit bhujati he bends
2bow
noun
Definition of BOW
: a bending of the head or body in respect, submission, assent, or salutation; also : a show of respect or submission
First Known Use of BOW
circa 1656
Rhymes with BOW
beau, blow, bro, Chou, crow, do, doe, dough, floe, flow, foe, fro, froe, glow, go, grow, ho, hoe, jo, Jo, joe, know, lo, low, mho, mot, mow, no, No, O, oh, owe, Poe, pow, pro, rho, roe, row, Rowe, schmo, sew, show, sloe, slow, snow, so, sow, stow, Stowe, strow, though, throe, throw, toe, tow, trow, whoa, woe, yo
3bow
noun \ˈbō\
Definition of BOW
1
a : something bent into a simple curve b : rainbow
2
: a weapon that is made of a strip of flexible material (as wood) with a cord connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent and that is used to propel an arrow
3
: archer
4
a : a metal ring or loop forming a handle (as of a key) b : a knot formed by doubling a ribbon or string into two or more loops c : bow tie 1 d : a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses; also : the sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
5
a : a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used in playing an instrument of the viol or violin family b : a stroke of such a bow
Origin of BOW
Middle English bowe, from Old English boga; akin to Old English būgan
First Known Use: before 12th century
4bow
verb \ˈbō\
Definition of BOW
intransitive verb
1
: to bend into a curve
2
: to play a stringed musical instrument with a bow
transitive verb
1
: to cause to bend into a curve
2
: to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow
First Known Use of BOW
before 12th century
5bow
noun \ˈbau̇\
Definition of BOW
1
: the forward part of a ship —often used in plural <crossing the bows>
2
: 2bowman
Origin of BOW
Middle English bowe, bowgh, probably from Middle Dutch boech bow, shoulder; akin to Old English bōg bough
First Known Use: 15th century
Bow
geographical name \ˈbō\
Definition of BOW
river 315 miles (507 kilometers) Canada in SW Alberta rising in Banff National Park
BOW[1] Defined for Kids
1bow
verb \ˈbau̇\
bowedbow·ing
Definition of BOW for Kids
1
: to bend the head or body as an act of politeness or respect
2
: to stop resisting : yield <He bowed to pressure to resign.>
2bow
noun
Definition of BOW for Kids
: the act of bending the head or body to express politeness or respect
3bow
noun \ˈbō\
Definition of BOW for Kids
1
: a weapon used for shooting arrows and usually made of a strip of wood bent by a cord connecting the two ends
2
: something shaped in a curve
3
: a knot made with one or more loops <Tie the ribbon in a bow.>
4
: a rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used for playing a stringed instrument (as a violin)
4bow
verb \ˈbō\
bowedbow·ing
Definition of BOW for Kids
: to bend or cause to bend into a curve <The wall bows out.>
5bow
noun \ˈbau̇\
Definition of BOW for Kids
: the forward part of a ship
Medical Dictionary
bow
noun \ˈbō\
Medical Definition of BOW
: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses; also : the curved sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
Learn More About BOW
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