bow (bo)

[Also written bu; hence, yoke As the ox hath his bow , sir, the horse his curb, and the falcon her bells, so man hath his desires. Shak ., As you Like it, iii. 3. (c) In saddlery, one of two pieces of wood, united so as to form an arch fitting the horse's back, which serve to give the saddle its proper form. (d) In firearms, the guard of the trigger. (e) The bent guard of a sword-hilt. (f) One of the bent slats which support the hood, canopy, or tilt of a covered wagon or carriage. (9) The framing of the [Prob. a reduced form of bull3.] The provisions of a benefice granted by the pope. N. E. D. [Scotch.] bowablet (bou'a-bl), a . [ bow1 + -able .] Capable of being bowed or bent; flexible. bow-arm (bo'ärm), n. 1. The arm that moves the bow in playing an instrument of the violin family; a violinist's right arm. See bow -hand. -2. In archery, the arm employed in holding the bow, ordinarily the left arm. bow-backed (bo'bakt), a. Having a back bent