Bow (bou), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bowed (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bowing.] [OE. bowen, bogen, bugen, AS. būgan (generally v. i.); akin to D. buigen, OHG. biogan, G. biegen, beugen, Icel. boginn bent, beygja to bend, Sw. böja, Dan. böie, bugne, Coth. biugan; also to L. fugere to flee, Gr. &unr_;, and Skr. bhuj to bend. √88. Cf. Fugitive.]
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1. To cause to deviate from straightness; to bend; to inflect; to make crooked or curved.
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We bow things the contrary way, to make them come to their natural straightness. Milton.
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The whole nation bowed their necks to the worst kind of tyranny. Prescott.
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2. To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.
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Adversities do more bow men's minds to religion. Bacon.
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Not to bow and bias their opinions. Fuller.
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3. To bend or incline, as the head or body, in token of respect, gratitude, assent, homage, or condescension.
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They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 2 Kings ii. 15.
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4. To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress,;&unr_; to crush; to subdue.
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Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave. Shak.
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5. To express by bowing; as, to bow one's thanks.
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Bow (bou), 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.
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Bow (bō), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bowed (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bowing.] To play (music) with a bow. -- v. i. To manage the bow.
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