BOW | Definition and Meaning

Definition of Bow

Bow

bow

Definition/Meaning

(noun)

a knot tied in a string or cord, usually having two loose ends and two loops, often used as a decorative element or for tying things shut, especially such a knot tied into a ribbon as a decoration;

e.g. He tightened the bow of his shoelaces. She wore a small bow in her hair.

(noun)

a weapon that is used to shoot arrows, usually made of wood carved into a curved shape with its ends joined by a tense string;

e.g. He grabbed his bow and slung it over his shoulder.

(noun)

a long wooden rod that has horsehair attached across its ends, used to play violins and other such musical instruments;

e.g. She drew her bow across the strings of the instrument.

(verb)

to play a musical instrument like a violin by dragging a bow (a long wooden rod with horsehairs stretched across its ends) across its strings;

e.g. The members of an orchestra usually bow in time with each other.

(noun)

the action of bending one's head and/or upper body forward as a greeting or as a sign of deference or respect;

e.g. He greeted them with a bow when they entered the room.

(verb)

to bend one's head and/or upper body forward as a greeting or as a sign of respect or shame, or to express some meaning such as agreement or thanks through such a gesture;

e.g. The actors came on stage to bow at the end of the performance.

(verb)

broadly, to bend either literally, as due to weight or age, or figuratively, as due to pressure or defeat, or to cause something/someone to do this;

e.g. The branches of the tree bow from the weight of the fruit. The team refused to bow to their opponents, and they tried their best till the end of the game.