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bow in

Variant of bow

bow definition

bow (bo̵u)

intransitive verb

Dialectal to bend or stoop
to bend down one's head or bend one's body in respect, agreement, worship, recognition, etc.
to yield or submit, as to authority
to express assent, greeting, etc. by bowing

Etymology: ME bouen < OE bugan, to bend < IE base *bheugh-, to bend > Ger biegen; the bow is 17th c.

transitive verb

Dialectal to bend
to bend (one's head) down in respect, prayer, shame, etc.
to indicate (agreement, thanks, etc.) by bowing
to weigh (down); overwhelm; crush the president was bowed down by the burdens of office

noun

a bending down of the head or body, as in respect or greeting

bow Idioms

bow and scrape

to be too polite and ingratiating

bow out

to leave or retire formally or ceremoniously

bow out

to usher out (or in) with a bow

take a bow

to acknowledge an introduction, applause, etc. as by bowing