BOWING • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Bowing

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/bˈoʊɪŋ/ /bˈaʊɪŋ/ Listen

noun

Bowing n. (Mus.)

The act or art of managing the bow in playing on stringed instruments. "Bowing constitutes a principal part of the art of the violinist, the violist, etc."

In hatmaking, the act or process of separating and distributing the fur or hair by means of a bow, to prepare it for felting.

verb

Bow v. t. (past & past part. bowed; pres. part. bowing)

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." "The whole nation bowed their necks to the worst kind of tyranny."

To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline. "Adversities do more bow men's minds to religion." "Not to bow and bias their opinions."

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."

To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress; to crush; to subdue. "Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave."

To express by bowing; as, to bow one's thanks.

Bow v. i. (past & past part. bowed; pres. part. bowing)

To play (music) with a bow.

To manage the bow.

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Etymology of 'Bowing'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Bowing" Quotes from Famous Books

... pretended that the lost stanzas have been recovered, I have no more doubt that they are spurious than that I did not write them myself: I will not dwell upon this subject, but only mention that it is quite impossible Collins could write "Fate gave the fatal blow," and "bowing to Freedom's yoke;" and such ...

— The Poetical Works of William Collins - With a Memoir • William Collins

... ward against a guardian. And I—I saw him only day before yesterday for the first time. What can I know about him? I've no experience in reading characters of men. The dear old Abbe and a few masters in the school are the only ones I have a bowing acquaintance with—except "Sissy" Williams, who doesn't count. It's dangerous to trust to one's instincts, no doubt, for it's so difficult to be sure a wish isn't disguising itself as instinct, in rouge and a ...

— Set in Silver • Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson

... he said, bowing low. "I let Miguel and your honorable friend go. I send safe escort ...

— The Mucker • Edgar Rice Burroughs

... self-control gave way. She broke down utterly, and, bowing her head in her hands on the desk, burst forth into a passion ...

— The Cryptogram - A Novel • James De Mille

... as sling-stones on Pausanias and his ill-starred following. The Magi had sacrificed a stallion, and reported that the holy fire gave every favouring sign. Mardonius went from his tent, all his eunuchs bowing their foreheads to the earth and chorussing, "Victory to our Lord, to ...

— A Victor of Salamis • William Stearns Davis

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