bow
     n 1: a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
          [syn: {bowknot}]
     2: a slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut
        horsehair strands, used in playing certain stringed
        instrument
     3: front part of a vessel or aircraft; "he pointed the bow of
        the boat toward the finish line" [syn: {fore}, {prow}, {stem}]
     4: curved piece of resilient wood with taut cord to propel
        arrows
     5: something curved in shape [syn: {arc}]
     6: bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or
        submission or shame [syn: {bowing}, {obeisance}]
     7: an appearance by actors or performers at the end of the
        concert or play in order to acknowledge the applause of
        the audience [syn: {curtain call}]
     8: a decorative interlacing of ribbons
     9: a stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair
        strands that is used in playing stringed instruments
     v 1: bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head; "He bowed
          before the King"; "She bowed her head in shame" [syn: {bow
          down}]
     2: submit or yield to another's wish or opinion; "The
        government bowed to the military pressure" [syn: {submit},
         {defer}, {accede}, {give in}]
     3: bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of
        respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King"
     4: bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched
        down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man
        stooped to pick up the girl's purse" [syn: {crouch}, {stoop},
         {bend}]
     5: play on a string instrument
Source: WordNet® 2.0