BOWED

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does bowed mean? 

• BOWED (adjective)
  The adjective BOWED has 4 senses:

1. of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

2. forming or resembling an arch

3. have legs that curve outward at the knees

4. showing an excessively deferential manner

  Familiarity information: BOWED used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BOWED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

Similar:

arco ((of instruments in the violin family) to be played with the bow)

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Antonym:

plucked (of a stringed instrument; sounded with the fingers or a plectrum)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Forming or resembling an arch

Synonyms:

arced; arched; arching; arciform; arcuate; bowed

Context example:

an arched ceiling

Similar:

curved; curving (having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend)

Domain category:

architecture (the discipline dealing with the principles of design and construction and ornamentation of fine buildings)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Have legs that curve outward at the knees

Synonyms:

bandy; bandy-legged; bowed; bowleg; bowlegged

Similar:

unfit (not in good physical or mental condition; out of condition)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Showing an excessively deferential manner

Synonyms:

bowed; bowing

Similar:

submissive (inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination)

 Context examples 

His bowed head, and her angel-face and filial duty, derived a more pathetic meaning from it than they had had before.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She had lovely green hair and green eyes, and she bowed low before Dorothy as she said, "Follow me and I will show you your room."

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

When I came close she bowed and said, "The Herr Englishman?"

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The two statesmen bowed and walked gravely from the room.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

With a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and strode off upon his way.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The Colonel waved his hand towards my friend, and the Inspector bowed.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Cold and grey and glittering they were as he bowed brusquely and turned away.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Before such he bowed down and marvelled, knowing that they were beyond the deliberate creation of any man.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

On the neck lay a pale reflection like moonlight; the same faint lustre touched the train of thin clouds from which rose and bowed this vision of the Evening Star.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

They bowed, and my uncle stood a little time looking after him as he made his way amidst the crowd.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)