bend

bend

bend¹ [bend]

vt.

bent, bending [ME benden < OE bendan, to confine with a string (< Gmc * bandjan < * bindan > BIND); hence, to fetter, bend (a bow)]

1. Obs. to cause tension in (a bow, etc.), as by drawing with a string

2. to force (an object) into a curved or crooked form, or (back) to its original form, by turning, pulling, pressing, etc.

3. to turn from a straight line [light rays are bent by refraction]

4. to make submit or give in [to bend another's will to one's wishes]

5. to turn or direct (one's eyes, attention, energy, etc. to)

6. to cause to have a fixed purpose; determine: used in the passive voice [he was bent on success]

7. to incline or tend (to or toward)

8. Naut. to attach; fasten [to bend a signal flag onto a halyard]

vi.

1. to turn or be turned from a straight line or from some direction or position

2. to yield by curving or crooking, as from pressure

3. to crook or curve the body from a standing position; stoop (over or down)

4. to give in; yield [he bent to her wishes]

5. Archaic to direct one's attention, energy, etc. ( to something)

n.

1. a bending or being bent

2. a bent or curving part, as of a river

3. Naut. a wale usually used in pl.

SYN.- CURVE

——————

round the bend

[Brit. Informal] crazy, mad, insane, etc.

bendable

adj.

bend² [bend]

n.

[ME < BEND¹]

1. any of various knots used to tie one rope to another or to something else

2. Tanning one half of a trimmed hide

bend³ [bend]

n.

[OFr bende: see BAND¹]

Heraldry a diagonal stripe or band on a shield from the upper left to the lower right corner (as seen by the viewer)