Bent on milking the applause? (6)

I believe the answer is:

bowing

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'applause?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

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

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bowing that I've seen before include "Bending" , "Acknowledging applause" , "deforming with age" , "Perhaps playing Strad" , "Playing stringed instrument" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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