verb (used without object) 1.to bend the knee or body or incline the head, as in reverence, submission, salutation, recognition, or acknowledgment.
2.to yield; submit: to bow to the inevitable.
3.to bend or curve downward; stoop: the pines bowed low.
verb (used with object) 4.to bend or incline (the knee, body, or head) in worship, submission, respect, civility, agreement, etc.: He bowed his head to the crowd.
5.to cause to submit; subdue; crush.
6.to cause to stoop or incline: Age had bowed his head.
7.to express by a
bow: to bow one's thanks. 8.to usher (someone) with a
bow (usually followed by
in, out, etc.):
They were bowed in by the footman. EXPAND9.to cause to bend; make curved or crooked.
COLLAPSE
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Bowed
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
noun 10.an inclination of the head or body in salutation, assent, thanks, reverence, respect, submission, etc.
Verb phrase11.bow out, to resign a position or withdraw from a
job, competition, obligation, etc.:
He bowed out after two terms as governor. Idioms12.bow and scrape, to be excessively polite or deferential.
13.make one's bow, to appear publicly for the first time, as a performer, politician, etc.: The young pianist made her bow last night to an appreciative audience.
14.take a bow, to step forward or stand up in order to receive recognition, applause, etc.: The conductor had the soloists take a bow.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English bowen (v.), Old English būgan; cognate with Dutch buigen; akin to German biegen, Gothic biugan, Old Norse buga, etc.
Related formsbowed·ness, noun
bow·ing·ly, adverb
Can be confused: bode,
bowed.
Synonyms 1. See bend1. 2. surrender, accede, defer, acquiesce, comply, capitulate.