Bending vs. Bowing — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Bending and Bowing
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Compare with Definitions
Bending
In applied mechanics, bending (also known as flexure) characterizes the behavior of a slender structural element subjected to an external load applied perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the element. The structural element is assumed to be such that at least one of its dimensions is a small fraction, typically 1/10 or less, of the other two.
Bowing
Bowing (also called stooping) is the act of lowering the torso and head as a social gesture in direction to another person or symbol. It is most prominent in Asian cultures but it is also typical of nobility and aristocracy in many European countries.
Bending
To cause to assume a curved or angular shape
Bend a piece of iron into a horseshoe.
Bowing
To bend or curve downward; stoop.
Bending
To bring (a bow, for example) into a state of tension by drawing on a string or line.
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Bowing
To incline the body or head or bend the knee in greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Bending
To force to assume a different direction or shape, according to one's own purpose
“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events” (Robert F. Kennedy).
Bowing
To yield in defeat or out of courtesy; submit.
Bending
To misrepresent; distort
Bend the truth.
Bowing
To bend (the head, knee, or body) to express greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Bending
To relax or make an exception to
Bend a rule to allow more members into the club.
Bowing
To convey (greeting, for example) by bending the body.
Bending
To cause to swerve from a straight line; deflect
Light is bent as it passes through water.
Bowing
To escort deferentially
Bowed us into the restaurant.
Bending
To render submissive; subdue
“[His] words so often bewitched crowds and bent them to his will” (W. Bruce Lincoln).
Bowing
To cause to acquiesce; submit.
Bending
To apply (the mind) closely
“The weary naval officer goes to bed at night having bent his brain all day to a scheme of victory” (Jack Beatty).
Bowing
To overburden
Grief bowed them down.
Bending
(Nautical) To fasten
Bend a mainsail onto the boom.
Bowing
To bend (something) into the shape of a bow.
Bending
To deviate from a straight line or position
The lane bends to the right at the bridge.
Bowing
(Music) To play (a stringed instrument) with a bow.
Bending
To assume a curved, crooked, or angular form or direction
The saplings bent in the wind.
Bowing
To bend into a curve or bow.
Bending
To incline the body; stoop.
Bowing
(Music) To play a stringed instrument with a bow.
Bending
To make a concession; yield.
Bowing
An inclination of the head or body, as in greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Bending
To apply oneself closely; concentrate
She bent to her task.
Bowing
A bent, curved, or arched object.
Bending
The act or fact of bending.
Bowing
A weapon consisting of a curved, flexible strip of material, especially wood, strung taut from end to end and used to launch arrows.
Bending
The state of being bent.
Bowing
An archer.
Bending
Something bent
A bend in the road.
Bowing
Archers considered as a group.
Bending
A knot that joins a rope to a rope or another object.
Bowing
(Music) A rod having horsehair drawn tightly between its two raised ends, used in playing instruments of the violin and viol families.
Bending
Bends The thick planks in a ship's side; wales.
Bowing
A stroke made by this rod.
Bending
Bends (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Decompression sickness. Used with the.
Bowing
A knot usually having two loops and two ends; a bowknot.
Bending
Present participle of bend
Bowing
A frame for the lenses of a pair of eyeglasses.
Bending
A motion or action that bends.
A bending of the knees
Bowing
The part of such a frame passing over the ear.
Bending
An instance of something being adapted or distorted.
Bendings of the rules
Bowing
A rainbow.
Bending
The marking of the clothes with stripes or horizontal bands.
Bowing
An oxbow.
Bending
Movement that causes the formation of a curve
Bowing
All senses
Bending
The property of being bent or deflected
Bowing
The act of bending at the waist, as a sign of respect or greeting.
The courtier had practiced his bowing.
Bending
The act of bending something
Bowing
A bending.
The heavy books caused a bowing in the shelf.
Bending
Not remaining rigid or straight;
Tried to support his weight on a bending cane
Bowing
A technique for using the bow on a string instrument such as a violin.
Bowing
The act or art of managing the bow in playing on stringed instruments.
Bowing constitutes a principal part of the art of the violinist, the violist, etc.
Bowing
In hatmaking, the act or process of separating and distributing the fur or hair by means of a bow, to prepare it for felting.
Bowing
Bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame
Bowing
Managing the bow in playing a stringed instrument;
The violinist's bowing was excellent
Bowing
Showing an excessively deferential manner
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