(v. t.) To cause to deviate from straightness; to bend; to inflect;
to make crooked or curved.
(v. t.) To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to
bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.
(v. t.) To bend or incline, as the head or body, in token of
respect, gratitude, assent, homage, or condescension.
(v. t.) To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress,;/ to
crush; to subdue.
(v. t.) To express by bowing; as, to bow one's thanks.
(v. i.) To bend; to curve.
(v. i.) To stop.
(v. i.) To bend the head, knee, or body, in token of reverence or
submission; -- often with down.
(v. i.) To incline the head in token of salutation, civility, or
assent; to make bow.
(n.) An inclination of the head, or a bending of the body, in token
of reverence, respect, civility, or submission; an obeisance; as, a bow
of deep humility.
(v. t.) Anything bent, or in the form of a curve, as the rainbow.
(v. t.) A weapon made of a strip of wood, or other elastic
material, with a cord connecting the two ends, by means of which an
arrow is propelled.
(v. t.) An ornamental knot, with projecting loops, formed by
doubling a ribbon or string.
(v. t.) The U-shaped piece which embraces the neck of an ox and
fastens it to the yoke.
(v. t.) An appliance consisting of an elastic rod, with a number of
horse hairs stretched from end to end of it, used in playing on a
stringed instrument.
(v. t.) An arcograph.
(v. t.) 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 the hair, fur, etc., used by
hatters.
(v. t.) A rude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's
altitude at sea.
(sing. or pl.) Two pieces of wood which form the arched forward
part of a saddletree.
(v. i.) To play (music) with a bow.
(v. i. ) To manage the bow.
(n.) The bending or rounded part of a ship forward; the stream or
prow.
(n.) One who rows in the forward part of a boat; the bow oar.
