bow in WordNet English dictionary

1. yield to another's wish or opinion
   "The government bowed to the military pressure"
   submit  bow  defer  accede  give in 
   
2. 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"
   crouch  stoop  bend  bow 
   
3. bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head
   "He bowed before the King"; "She bowed her head in shame"
   bow  bow down 
   
4. play on a string instrument with a bow
   bow 
   
5. bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting
   "He bowed before the King"
   bow 
   

1. something curved in shape
   bow  arc 
   
2. a stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments
   bow 
   
3. a slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut horsehair strands; used in playing certain stringed instruments
   bow 
   
4. a weapon for shooting arrows, composed of a curved piece of resilient wood with a taut cord to propel the arrow
   bow 
   
5. front part of a vessel or aircraft
   "he pointed the bow of the boat toward the finish line"
   bow  fore  prow  stem 
   
6. a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
   bow  bowknot 
   
7. a decorative interlacing of ribbons
   bow 
   
8. an appearance by actors or performers at the end of the concert or play in order to acknowledge the applause of the audience
   bow  curtain call 
   
9. bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
   bow  bowing  obeisance