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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To draw a long bow

Bow \Bow\ (b[=o]), n. [OE. bowe, boge, AS. boga, fr. AS. b[=u]gan to bend; akin to D. boog, G. bogen, Icel. bogi. See Bow, v. t.]

  1. Anything bent, or in the form of a curve, as the rainbow.

    I do set my bow in the cloud.
    --Gen. ix. 13.

  2. A weapon made of a strip of wood, or other elastic material, with a cord connecting the two ends, by means of which an arrow is propelled.

  3. An ornamental knot, with projecting loops, formed by doubling a ribbon or string.

  4. The U-shaped piece which embraces the neck of an ox and fastens it to the yoke.

  5. (Mus.) An appliance consisting of an elastic rod, with a number of horse hairs stretched from end to end of it, used in playing on a stringed instrument.

  6. An arcograph.

  7. (Mech. & Manuf.) Any instrument consisting of an elastic rod, with ends connected by a string, employed for giving reciprocating motion to a drill, or for preparing and arranging the hair, fur, etc., used by hatters.

  8. (Naut.) A rude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's altitude at sea.

  9. (Saddlery) sing. or pl. Two pieces of wood which form the arched forward part of a saddletree.

    Bow bearer (O. Eng. Law), an under officer of the forest who looked after trespassers.

    Bow drill, a drill worked by a bow and string.

    Bow instrument (Mus.), any stringed instrument from which the tones are produced by the bow.

    Bow window (Arch.) See Bay window.

    To draw a long bow, to lie; to exaggerate. [Colloq.]