fiddle bow

[ boh for 1, 2; bou for 3 ]

/ boʊ for 1, 2; baʊ for 3 /

a bow with which the strings of the violin or a similar instrument are set in vibration.

a bow for driving the arbor of a small lathe, as one used by watchmakers.

Nautical. clipper bow.

Origin of fiddle bow

First recorded in 1820–30

Therein are Kobbolds, and Wights that love not men, things unto whom the grief of men is as the sound of the fiddle-bow unto us.

The Roots of the Mountains |William Morris
Of all tools, none, of course, is more exquisite than a fiddle-bow.

Inventors at Work |George Iles
And Pempton's 'cello tones now and then have gone through me—simply from his fiddle-bow, I believe.

One of Our Conquerors, Complete |George Meredith
A drill that is revolved back and forth by a device similar to a fiddle-bow.

Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II |Joshua Rose

The fiddle-bow, however, affords only one example of a rule which is equally well exemplified by many humbler tools.

Progress and History |Various