The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - bow n.

1) nod; curtsy or curtsey, salaam, kowtow, genuflection, prostration, obeisance: We all bowed respectfully before the emperor. --v. 2) defer, yield, submit, give in, bend, bow down, capitulate: I bow to your greater knowledge of the subject. 3) bend, incline, lower: The servants bowed their heads when the master entered. 4) weigh down, crush, overload, bend down, burden: Michael was bowed down by the responsibilities of his new family. 5) nod, curtsy or curtsey, salaam, kowtow, genuflect, prostrate oneself, salaam, make obeisance: The natives bowed as the king passed by.