The forward-curving part of a ship's bow, or an archery bow positioned at the front.
Old English compound: 'fore-' (front) + 'bow' (from Old English 'boga,' meaning curve or bend). The nautical sense developed to describe bow geometry.
The forebow of a ship curves upward to cut through waves rather than plowing into them—this same principle is why modern submarines have rounded noses instead of pointed ones.
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