Bow

Bow of a ship is the general name for the stem and fore-part, or that which cuts the water. The word is often used in the plural, the ship being considered to have starboard and port bows, meeting at the stem. Starboard is applied to the right-hand side, and port to the left-hand side, looking forward. A fine or lean bow, and a full or broad bow, are seamen's phrases for different types; and the 'V form,' or 'U form,' is a nomenclature adopted by the naval architect to denote the character of a section of the bow. See SHIPBUILDING.