bowing

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The operation of separating and arranging as desired the filaments of some fibrous material, as hatters' fur or (in Eastern countries) cotton, by vibrating a bow-string upon it. In hat-making, as practised on a small scale, the felting of the fur or wool is partly accomplished by bowing.
2. n. In music: The general method of using the bow in playing upon an instrument of the violin family. It includes the method of holding the bow, the direction in which it is moved, the pressure put upon it, the part of the hair that is employed, the place upon the strings where it is applied, and every other detail in the management of the bow which influences the quality and loudness of the tone produced.
3. n. The method by which the notes of a given passage are distributed between up- and down-strokes of the bow. To secure an intended effect, or general uniformity among many players, the bowing of a passage is indicated by various marks; or indicates a stroke beginning with the nut, that is, down; while or indicates a stroke beginning with the point, that is, up.
4. n. A lease of the dairy stock on a farm. See bower.

Wiktionary

1. v. present participle of bow. (bend)
2. n. The act of bending at the waist, as a sign of respect or greeting.
3. n. A bending.
4. n. A technique for bowing a musical instrument, such as a violin.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Mus.) The act or art of managing the bow in playing on stringed instruments.
2. n. In hatmaking, the act or process of separating and distributing the fur or hair by means of a bow, to prepare it for felting.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. managing the bow in playing a stringed instrument
2. n. bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
3. adj. showing an excessively deferential manner