bow

n 1: a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces syn bowknot

2: a slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut horsehair strands, used in playing certain stringed instrument

3: front part of a vessel or aircraft; "he pointed the bow of the boat toward the finish line" syn fore, prow, stem

4: curved piece of resilient wood with taut cord to propel arrows

5: something curved in shape syn arc 6: bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame syn bowing, obeisance

7: an appearance by actors or performers at the end of the concert or play in order to acknowledge the applause of the audience syn curtain call

8: a decorative interlacing of ribbons 9: a stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments

v 1: bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head; "He bowed before the King"; "She bowed her head in shame" syn bow down

2: submit or yield to another's wish or opinion; "The government bowed to the military pressure" syn submit, defer, accede, give in

3: bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King"

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" syn crouch, stoop, bend

5: play on a string instrument

Source: WordNet. Princeton University

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Bow

(Genesis 37:10) The eastern mode of salutation, by kneeling upon one knee and bending the head forward till it touched the ground.

Source: Smith's Bible Dictionary, 1884

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