bow

Bow is a term with several distinct meanings in English. It commonly refers to a weapon used in archery, the forward part of a ship, and a decorative knot or ribbon tied with loops. It can also be a verb meaning to bend at the waist as a sign of respect.

Bow, the weapon: A flexible stave strung with a taut cord, used to shoot arrows. Traditional forms include the longbow and the recurve; modern versions may use composite materials or mechanical systems. Bows require appropriate technique, maintenance, and compatible arrows.

Musical bow: A curved stick with horsehair stretched between ends, used to play string instruments such as the violin, viola, and cello. The bow is drawn across strings to produce sound; players apply rosin to the hair to improve grip.

Ship bow: The forward extremity of a vessel, designed to cut through water and influence handling and wave formation. The shape and construction of the bow affect stability, buoyancy, and the creation of the bow wave.

Decorative bow and verb: A decorative bow is a knot of ribbon or cord used on clothing, gifts, or packaging. As a verb, to bow means to bend at the waist as a respectful gesture or greeting. Different senses spell and pronounce the word with distinct vowels: bow (boh) for the weapon and musical bow, bow (bau) for the ship's bow and the act of bowing.