[f. BOW sb.1]
1. A Bay-window segmentally curved on plan; called in A. P. S. Dict. Arch., a Bow Bay-window.
Often used as co-extensive with bay-window, whence ‘such absurdities of diction as “square bow windows.”’ Bay-window is generic, bow-window specific, and of much later rise, this form of bay being rare in earlier times.
1753. Richardson, Grandison (1781), VI. xxiv. 136. The other seats of the bow-window.
1794. Repton, Landscape Gard. (1805), 178. Large recesses or bays, sometimes called bowre windows, and now bow windows.
1816. Jane Austen, Emma, II. ix. 198. A string of dawdling children round the baker’s bow-window.
1850. Thackeray, Pendennis, xxxv. (1884), 339. His common lounge was the bow-window of White’s.
2. slang. A big belly.
1840. Marryat, Poor Jack, i. A very large man … with what is termed a considerable bow-window in front.
Hence Bow-windowed, having bow-windows; also (slang) big-bellied.
1868. ‘Holme Lee,’ B. Godfrey, ix. 44. The upstairs bow-windowed room.
1850. Thackeray, Pendennis, xxxiv. (1884), 334. Look at that very bow-windowed man.
