Acknowledges applause (4)
I believe the answer is:
bows
'acknowledges applause' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for bows that I've seen before include "Acknowledges applause as actor does" , "foreparts" , "Bends from the waist deferentially" , "Knots with two loops" , "Bends, defers" .)