† bowableadj.
Obsolete.
1. That may be bowed or bent; flexible, pliable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > pliableness > [adjective]
tougha700
lithyc1000
softc1330
weak?a1366
plianta1382
persha1398
plyinga1398
lithec1400
supplec1400
plicable?a1425
curvable?1440
lethec1440
scretec1440
pliablec1475
bowable1483
bowing1483
waldinc1485
supple1513
flexible1548
limber1565
lither1565
bending1567
osier1577
wiry1588
buxom1590
withy1598
suppliable1599
renderingc1600
fluxible1607
winding1609
bendable1611
flippant1622
flexive1629
flexile1633
maniable1633
compliant1667
flectible1705
limp1706
yieldy1757
complying1774
limberly1782
willowy1791
switchy1810
wandy1825
twistable1853
bendsome1861
whippy1867
swack1868
bendy1873
1483 Cath. Angl. 38 Bowabylle, vbi pliabylle.
1583 P. Stubbes Anat. Abuses sig. Fviiv It is flexible and bowable to any thing a man can desire.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Ployable, pliable, bowable, bendable.
2. figurative. Complaisant.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > manageability > [adjective] > compliant
ablec1384
obedientc1400
supplec1405
accordinga1425
plianta1425
serviablea1425
appliable1449
bowablec1449
applicant?c1500
pliablea1513
applying?1529
flexible?1531
maniablea1604
correspondenta1616
compliable1641
compliant1642
complaisant1647
flexile1651
complacential1658
complying1668
commode1674
complaisential1689
applicable1702
complacent1790
unprotesting1792
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 200 Make the patroun (that is to seie, Crist) forto be to vs inclinable or boweable or redi to heere us.
1623 J. Wodroephe Spared Houres Souldier 323 If she be a virgin, she is pliable or bowable.
Derivatives
ˈbowableness n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > pliableness > [noun]
pliantnessa1398
bowablenessc1475
limberness1565
bowingness1580
pliableness1581
suppleness1584
flexibility1616
pliancy1632
flexure1651
flexility1660
pliability1725
compliancy1793
facility1853
yieldiness1857
whippiness1881
bonelessness1928
c1475 Found. St. Barthol. Ch. (1886) i. xxvii. 63 The synowys were dryed up & alweys lackid bowablenesse.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
<
adj.c1449