Background for bow

bow

/bəʊ/ /boʊ/ /baʊ/

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

noun

A weapon made of a curved piece of wood or other flexible material whose ends are connected by a string, used for shooting arrows.

Examples :

"The hunter carefully aimed the bow and released the arrow. "

weapon sport military

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

Illustration bow - Image 3

Illustration bow - Image 4

Illustration bow - Image 5

Illustration bow - Image 6

Illustration bow - Image 7

noun

A curved bend in a rod or planar surface, or in a linear formation such as a river (see oxbow).

Examples :

"The river had a graceful bow in the middle of the park. "

nature geography

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

noun

A rod with horsehair (or an artificial substitute) stretched between the ends, used for playing various stringed musical instruments.

Examples :

"The violinist carefully tuned her bow before starting to practice. "

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

A stringed instrument (chordophone), consisting of a stick with a single taut cord stretched between the ends, most often played by plucking.

Examples :

"My grandfather plays a beautiful bow in the evenings. "

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

noun

A type of knot with two loops, used to tie together two cords such as shoelaces or apron strings, and frequently used as decoration, such as in gift-wrapping.

Examples :

"The gift-wrapping instructions showed how to tie a bow around the present. "

appearance style wear item

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

Illustration bow - Image 3

Illustration bow - Image 4

noun

Anything bent or curved, such as a rainbow.

Examples :

"The rainbow was a beautiful bow across the sky after the storm. "

nature appearance

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

The U-shaped piece which goes around the neck of an ox and fastens it to the yoke.

Examples :

"The farmer carefully placed the thick wooden bow around the ox's neck before attaching it to the yoke. "

agriculture animal machine utensil

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

Either of the arms of a pair of spectacles, running from the side of the lens to behind the wearer's ear.

Examples :

"The glasses' bows were broken, so she couldn't wear them to school. "

appearance body part wear

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

Any instrument consisting of an elastic rod, with ends connected by a string, employed for giving reciprocating motion to a drill, or for preparing and arranging hair, fur, etc., used by hatters.

Examples :

"The tailor used a specialized bow to shape the fur for the new winter hats. "

utensil machine

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

A crude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's altitude at sea.

Examples :

"The captain used the old bow to calculate the sun's height above the horizon. "

nautical technology astronomy device science

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

(saddlery) Two pieces of wood which form the arched forward part of a saddletree.

Examples :

"The carpenter carefully measured the bow of the saddletree before attaching the leather straps. "

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

The part of a key that is not inserted into the lock and that is used to turn the key.

Examples :

"The key's bow is smooth and easy to turn. "

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

verb

To play music on (a stringed) instrument using a bow.

Examples :

"The musician bowed his violin expertly."

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

Illustration bow - Image 3

Illustration bow - Image 4

Illustration bow - Image 5

verb

To become bent or curved.

Examples :

"The shelf bowed under the weight of the books."

action appearance

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

Illustration bow - Image 3

Illustration bow - Image 4

Illustration bow - Image 5

Illustration bow - Image 6

verb

To make something bend or curve.

Examples :

"The gardener carefully bowed the tall sunflower stems to keep them from breaking in the wind. "

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

Illustration bow - Image 3

verb

To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.

Examples :

"The teacher bowed her authority over the class when she spoke firmly about the upcoming test. "

attitude action

Illustration bow - Image 1

verb

Examples :

"Cronenberg’s "Cosmopolis" bows in Cannes this week."

entertainment media culture

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

noun

A gesture, usually showing respect, made by inclining the head or bending forward at the waist; a reverence

Examples :

"He made a polite bow as he entered the room."

culture ritual tradition sign action

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

verb

To bend oneself as a gesture of respect or deference.

Examples :

"That singer always bows towards her audience for some reason."

culture ritual action tradition society

Illustration bow - Image 1

verb

Examples :

"The new student will bow to the school on Monday. "

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

verb

To defer (to something).

Examples :

"I bow to your better judgement in the matter."

attitude action

Illustration bow - Image 1

verb

To give a direction, indication, or command to by bowing.

Examples :

"The teacher bowed to the class, indicating it was time to start the lesson. "

action communication direction sign

Illustration bow - Image 1

Illustration bow - Image 2

noun

The front of a boat or ship.

Examples :

"The captain steered the boat, keeping the bow pointed towards the harbor entrance. "

nautical part vehicle

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

The rower that sits in the seat closest to the bow of the boat.

Examples :

"The bow in the rowboat is responsible for steering the boat. "

nautical sport sailing position

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

A firm branch of a tree.

Examples :

"When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall."

nature plant part

Illustration bow - Image 1

noun

Examples :

"The prisoner was led to the bow, and the crowd gathered to witness the execution. "