1. The act of bending the head, body, or knee as a sign of respect, greeting, or submission
   "In many Asian cultures, bowing is a common form of greeting";
   - bow[2], obeisance

1. Showing an excessively deferential manner
   - bowed[2]

1. Managing the bow in playing a stringed instrument
   "the violinist's bowing was excellent"

1. (music) play on a stringed instrument with a bow
   "She bowed the violin with great skill"

1. Bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head
   - bow down
    
2. Yield to another's wish or opinion
   - submit, defer, accede, give in, acquiesce
    
3. Bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting
   "He bowed before the King"
    
4. Bend one's back forward from the waist on down
   - stoop, bend

Derived forms: bowings

See also: prostrate, stoop to, submissive

Type of: bend, buckle under, change posture, flex, gesticulate, gesture, give in, knuckle under, motion, play, playing, reverence, succumb, yield

Encyclopedia: Bowing