▪ I. † emˈbow, n. Obs. rare—1.
[f. next.]
The concave surface of an arch, vault, or dome.
| 1548 Hall Chron. (1809) 723 The..Embowes were of very strange worke with leaves, balles and other garnishinges. |
▪ II. embow, v.1 Obs. exc. arch.
(ɛmˈbəʊ)
Also 5 enbow, 6– imbow.
[f. en- + bow n.1]
1. trans. To bend or curve into a bow (see bow n.1).
| c 1400 Destr. Troy vii. 3034 Browes..Bright as the brent gold enbowet þai were. |
2. Arch. To arch, vault.
| 1481 [see embowed ppl. a.] 1555 Eden Decades W. Ind. (Arb.) 309 The rouffes..are gylted and embowed. 1587 Golding De Mornay viii. (1617) 101 The heauen, being imbowed about these lower parts, like a vaut. 1641 Heylin Help to Hist. (1671) 294 The West end..embowed over head seemeth to be very antient. 1838 Wordsw. Sonn., Cave of Staffa, The pillared vestibule..the roof embowed. |
3. To enclose as within a sphere; to englobe, encircle.
| 1605 Sylvester Du Bartas i. ii. I. 70 Turn'd Vapour, it have round embow'd Heau'ns highest stage. 1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. V, cxci, His Rayes Embow'd W{supt}{suph} in a vapor here, and there a Cloud. |
▪ III. † emˈbow, v.2 Obs. rare—1.
In 5 enbowe.
[f. en- + bow v.1]
trans. ? To bow down.
| c 1440 Gesta Rom. 204 The sonne of man haþe not wer he may reclyne or enbowe his hede. |