From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
bow
n 1: a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
[syn: bow, bowknot]
2: a slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut horsehair
strands; used in playing certain stringed instruments
3: front part of a vessel or aircraft; "he pointed the bow of
the boat toward the finish line" [syn: bow, fore, prow,
stem]
4: a weapon for shooting arrows, composed of a curved piece of
resilient wood with a taut cord to propel the arrow
5: something curved in shape [syn: bow, arc]
6: bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or
submission or shame or greeting [syn: bow, 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: bow, 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, bow down]
2: yield to another's wish or opinion; "The government bowed to
the military pressure" [syn: submit, bow, 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,
bow]
5: play on a string instrument with a bow