bow2

verb

• 1bend the head or upper part of the body as a sign of respect, greeting, or shame:he turned and bowed to his father they refused to bow down before the king (as adjective bowed)councilors stood with heads bowed [with object]:she knelt and bowed her head
• [with object] express (thanks, agreement, or other sentiments) by bending one’s head respectfully:he looked at Hector before bowing grave thanks
• [no object] bend the body in order to see or concentrate: [as adjective]:my mother sat bowed over a library book

• 2bend with age or under pressure:the grass bowed down before the wind [with object]:the vines were bowed down with flowers
• submit to pressure or to someone’s demands:the mayor bowed to public opinion

• 3chiefly North American (of a movie or product) be premiered or launched:the trailer bowed in theaters nationwide on December 23 the Pentium III bowed in early 1999

noun

• 1an act of bending the head or upper body as a sign of respect or greeting:the man gave a little bow

• 2the premiere or launch of a movie or product:the new big screen will make its bow at the game on Saturday