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/boʊ/
Meaning & Definition
noun
A curved weapon used for shooting arrows.
The archer carefully strung his bow before taking aim.
A decorative knot tied with two loops and two loose ends.
She added a red bow to the gift to make it look more festive.
The front of a ship.
The crew gathered at the bow as the ship approached the harbor.
verb
To bend the upper part of the body forward as a gesture of respect or greeting.
He chose to bow before the audience as a sign of appreciation.
To yield or submit to someone or something.
She decided to bow to their wishes, wanting to keep the peace.
Etymology
Old English 'boga', meaning 'a bow' or 'arch'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
bow out
To withdraw from a situation or activity gracefully.
take a bow
To acknowledge applause after a performance.
bow to pressure
To yield or give in to demands or influence.
bow down
To show humility or submission.
Related Words
arch
A curved structure or formation.
curtain bow
A bow given at the end of a performance.
crossbow
A weapon that shoots arrows, consisting of a horizontal bow attached to a stock.
Slang Meanings
To show respect or submit in a comical way.
He bowed down to his friends after losing the game.
To accept defeat or give in.
After a long debate, he finally decided to bow and let her have her way.