A gesture of respect that’s far from stern (3)

I believe the answer is:

bow

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'a gesture' is the definition.
(bow is a kind of gesture)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for bow that I've seen before include "Part of London" , "Genuflect" , "Front of boat" , "Bending in reverence or shame" , "Bend in obeisance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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