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fiddle bow

American  
[boh, bou] / boʊ, baʊ /

noun

  1. a bow with which the strings of the violin or a similar instrument are set in vibration.

  2. a bow for driving the arbor of a small lathe, as one used by watchmakers.

  3. Nautical. clipper bow.


Etymology

Origin of fiddle bow

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A corner of the room near the front door served as the unofficial bandstand and one often had to shimmy around a guitar or fiddle bow in order to enter or leave.

From New York Times • Feb. 19, 2016

All told, the KC Fiddles Bluestem fiddle, bow and case were worth about $1,500, though the fiddle has priceless sentimental value.

From Washington Post • Jun. 3, 2015

Cordelia, eldest of the four, plumps for the violin, and while her heart is always in the right place, her fiddle bow never is.

From Time Magazine Archive

I have got my face wrinkled like the falbalas of a petticoat, my back bent like a fiddle bow, and spirit sad and cast down like a monk of La Trappe.

From With Frederick the Great A Story of the Seven Years' War by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

Then, while the terrible Folker guarded the door with his fiddle bow, one side of which was a trenchant sword, the battle began.

From National Epics by Rabb, Kate Milner