Bow v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bowed p. pr. & vb. n. Bowing.]
1. To cause to deviate from straightness; to bend; to inflect; to make crooked or curved.
We bow things the contrary way, to make them come to their natural straightness. --Milton.
The whole nation bowed their necks to the worst kind of tyranny. --Prescott.
2. To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.
Adversities do more bow men's minds to religion. --Bacon.
Not to bow and bias their opinions. --Fuller.
3. To bend or incline, as the head or body, in token of respect, gratitude, assent, homage, or condescension.
They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. --2 Kings ii. 15.
4. To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress,;░ to crush; to subdue.
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave. --Shak.
5. To express by bowing; as, to bow one's thanks.
Bow v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bowed p. pr. & vb. n. Bowing.] To play (music) with a bow. -- v. i. To manage the bow.
bowed
adj 1: used especially of the head or upper back; "a bent head and
sloping shoulders" [syn: bent, inclined]
2: of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
[ant: plucked]
3: forming or resembling an arch; "an arched ceiling" [syn: arced,
arched, arching, arciform, arcuate]
4: have legs that curve outward at the knees [syn: bandy, bandy-legged,
bowleg, bowlegged]
5: showing an excessively deferential manner [syn: bowing]