Bow

bow, v.i. to bend the body in saluting a person, acknowledging a compliment, .: to submit.— v.t. to bend or incline downwards, to crush down (with down , to , in or out , up or down ).— n. a bending of the body in saluting a person.— adj. Bow′-backed , crook-backed.— A bowing acquaintance , a slight acquaintance.— To make one's bow , to retire ceremoniously, to leave the stage. [A.S. búgan , to bend; akin to L. fug-ĕre , to flee, to yield.]