fiddle bow

[ boh bou ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddle bow¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

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

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

Grinning like a possum, fiddle bow flying, he was oblivious that the barn was empty.

From New York Times

The simplest hand-drilling device employed for metal is the fiddle bow drill shown in Fig.

From Project Gutenberg

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