bowing

To play music on (a stringed) instrument using a bow.

“The musician bowed his violin expertly.”

To become bent or curved.

“The shelf bowed under the weight of the books.”

To make something bend or curve.

To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.

To premiere.

“Cronenberg’s "Cosmopolis" bows in Cannes this week.”

To bend oneself as a gesture of respect or deference.

“That singer always bows towards her audience for some reason.”

To debut.

To defer (to something).

“I bow to your better judgement in the matter.”

To give a direction, indication, or command to by bowing.

The act of bending at the waist, as a sign of respect or greeting.

“The courtier had practiced his bowing.”

A bending.

“The heavy books caused a bowing in the shelf.”

A technique for using the bow on a string instrument such as a violin.