bow
28
5.6
- noun
- /boʊ/
:
arco
- During the orchestra rehearsal, she adjusted the bow to ensure the right tension for playing.
- use the bow
- bow stroke
- violin bow
Examples
-
Whitman took the cello from Decker, took his bow, and brought his instrument over to his stool.
Fiction book (1995) -
You were very impressive with that bow.
-
But how do you play your instruments without your bows?
-
Roberta controls the bow and fingerboard, but it appears that the boy is playing music.
Fiction book (1999) -
Stobrod carried his fiddle and bow cradled in the crook of his left arm.
Fiction book (1997) -
String teachers can model bow holds, bowings, style, fingerings, and bow placement in relation to the bridge or fingerboard.
Academic text (2007) -
The crickets take up their fiddles and bows, and the night is deadly full of their racket.
Fiction book (1992) -
The musician expertly drew the bow across the strings, creating a beautiful melody.
-
As the conductor raised his hand, all the players lifted their bows to prepare for the performance.
Synonyms
2
9.0
A long stick with horsehair used to play a violin
1
4.0
A thin curved stick with horsehair used to play the violin by drawing it across the strings
Idioms
4
7.7
An early warning action or comment showing a stronger response may follow
- Archaic
To tell a story in a way that makes what happened sound bigger or not true
Compounds
1
4.0
A thin curved stick with horsehair used to play the violin by drawing it across the strings
- Archaic
1
9.9
A member of London's first organized police force from the mid 1700s to the early 1800s
1
4.7
A window that sticks out from a wall in a gentle curve to give more light and space
Legs that curve outward at the knees so the feet and ankles touch while the knees are apart
Legs that curve outward below the knee so the knees stay apart when the feet are together
- Specialized
A bow movement from the part near your hand toward the tip when playing a string instrument
- Specialized
An upward movement of the bow from tip toward the hand when playing violin or cello
How Professional
Surface Forms
Etymology
Bow (the stick for instruments) gets its name from the same idea as the weapon: it is a curved stick, and the name comes from an old word boga meaning 'bend' or 'arch'. That is why the tool for playing a violin is called a bow.