n. a stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments

n. a slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut horsehair strands; used in playing certain stringed instruments

n. front part of a vessel or aircraft; "he pointed the bow of the boat toward the finish line"

n. a weapon for shooting arrows, composed of a curved piece of resilient wood with a taut cord to propel the arrow

n. a decorative interlacing of ribbons

n. a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

n. bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting

n. something curved in shape

n. an archer, bowman

v. yield to another's wish or opinion; "The government bowed to the military pressure"

v. bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head; "He bowed before the King"; "She bowed her head in shame"

v. play on a string instrument with a bow

v. bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King"

adj. pertaining to the forward part of a vessel