Cupid's bow

Cupid's Bow feature on a human lip

Cupid's bow is a facial feature where the double curve of a human upper lip is said to resemble the bow of Cupid, the Roman god of erotic love. The peaks of the bow coincide with the philtral columns giving a prominent bow appearance to the lip.

The phrase is common in literature, often used related to speech, and therefore the mouth, as in Shakespeare's "Venus and Adonis":^[1]

For pity now she can no more detain him; (577)

The poor fool prays her that he may depart:

She is resolv'd no longer to restrain him,

Bids him farewell, and look well to her heart, (580)

The which, by Cupid's bow she doth protest.

See also

• Philtrum

References

1. ^ http://william-shakespeare.classic-literature.co.uk/venus-and-adonis/ebook-page-08.asp

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This anatomy article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Facial features Health stubs Anatomy stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую Stadio Matusa Stadio Vincenzo Presti Look at other dictionaries: cupid's-bow — [kyo͞o′pidz bō΄] adj. in the shape of the bow that Cupid is usually pictured as carrying [a cupid s bow mouth] * * * …   Universalium cupid's-bow — [kyo͞o′pidz bō΄] adj. in the shape of the bow that Cupid is usually pictured as carrying [a cupid s bow mouth] …   English World dictionary Cupid's bow — noun 1. the double curve of the upper lip when considered to resemble Cupid s bow • Hypernyms: ↑curve, ↑curved shape 2. a curved bow with reversed curve ends • Hypernyms: ↑bow …   Useful english dictionary Cupid's bow — Cu′pid s bow′ [[t]boʊ[/t]] n. 1) a classical bow; the bow Cupid is traditionally pictured as bearing 2) a line or shape resembling this, esp. the line of the upper lip • Etymology: 1855–60 …   From formal English to slang Cupid's bow — noun a) The archery bow borne by Cupid in artistic representations, which curves inward at the centre and often outward at the ends. b) The curve of the upper lip which resembles such a bow …   Wiktionary Cupid's bow — /boh/ 1. a classical bow Cupid is traditionally pictured as bearing. 2. a line or shape resembling this, esp. the line of the upper lip. [1855 60] * * * …   Universalium Cupid's bow — noun a pronounced double curve at the top edge of a person s upper lip, resembling the shape of the bow carried by the Roman god of love Cupid …   English new terms dictionary Cupid's bow — noun Date: 1567 a bow that consists of two convex curves usually with recurved ends …   New Collegiate Dictionary Cupid — Roman god of passionate love, late 14c., from L. Cupido, personification of cupido desire, love, from cupere to desire (see CUPIDITY (Cf. cupidity)). Identified with Gk. Eros. Cupid s bow as a shape, especially of lips, is from 1858 …   Etymology dictionary Cupid — This article is about the Roman god and the Greek god. For other uses, see Eros (disambiguation) and Cupid (disambiguation). Classical statue of Cupid with his bow In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido, meaning desire ) is the god of desire,… …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”