[f. BOW v.1 + -ING1.]

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  1.  Bending, curving, twisting; flexure, inclination.

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1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. xvi. (1495), 776. The cokatryce pressith not his bodi wyth moche bowynge.

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1481.  Caxton, Reynard (Arb.), 28. Without bowyng of your legges.

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1570.  Billingsley, Euclid, I. def. viii. 3. A plaine angle is an inclination or bowing of two lines, the one to the other.

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1610.  Guillim, Heraldry, II. iv. 44. A Bunched Line is carried with round reflections or bowings vp and downe.

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  † b.  Inflexion (of the voice). Obs.

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1561.  Norton, Calvin’s Inst., III. xx. 435. The Reader should sound his words with so small a bowing of his voice, that it should be liker to one that readeth than to one that singeth.

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  † 2.  concr. A curved or bent part; a bending, bend or flexure; a joint. Obs. exc. dial.

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1519.  Horman, Vulg., 26. Amoste at euery bonys ende is a grystell: that lyeth betwene the bowynge lyke a mattresse.

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1587.  Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1339/2. On the outside of the bowing of the arch were painted three goddesses.

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1681.  Willis’ Rem. Med. Wks., It descends to the bowing of the Elbow.

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1864.  Capern, Devon Prov., Bewings, joints.

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  3.  The action of inclining the body or head in salutation, etc.; the making of an obeisance; also attrib., as in bowing acquaintance.

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1616.  Purchas, Pilgr. (1864), 22. After often bowings, and touching the ground with his head.

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1660.  Milton, Free Commw., 429. The perpetual bowings and cringings of an abject People.

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1861.  Cornh. Mag., VI. 852. One makes a sort of pleasant bowing acquaintance with the several women.

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1876.  Green, Short Hist., 497. The bowings at the sacred name.

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