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bend over backward

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bend

1  [bend] verb, bent or (Archaic) bend⋅ed; bend⋅ing, noun
Use bend over backward in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to force (an object, esp. a long or thin one) from a straight form into a curved or angular one, or from a curved or angular form into some different form: to bend an iron rod into a hoop.
2. to direct or turn in a particular direction: to bend one's energies to the task.
3. to cause to submit or yield: to bend someone to one's will.
4. to modify or relax (restrictions, regulations, etc.) temporarily or in certain circumstances: to bend the rules.
5. to incline mentally (usually fol. by to or toward): bending his thoughts back toward his childhood.
6. to pull back the string of (a bow or the like) in preparation for shooting.
7. Nautical. to fasten.
8. Archaic. to strain or brace tensely (often fol. by up).
–verb (used without object)
9. to become curved, crooked, or bent: a bow that bends easily.
10. to assume a bent posture; stoop (often fol. by over): to bend as one walks; to bend over and pick up something.
11. to turn or incline in a particular direction; be directed: The road bent toward the south.
12. to yield or submit; give in.
13. to bow in submission or reverence: bending to one's monarch.
14. to direct one's energies: We bent to our work as the bell sounded.
–noun
15. the act of bending.
16. something that bends; curve; crook: a bend in the road; a bend in the curtain rod.
17. Nautical. any of various loops or knots for joining the ends of two ropes or the like, or for joining the end of a rope or the like to some other object.
18. bends, Nautical.
a. thick planking immediately below the waterways of a wooden vessel.
b. the wales of a vessel.
19. the bends, aeroembolism (def. 2).
—Idioms
20. around or round the bend, Slang. insane; crazy: These interruptions will send me round the bend!
21. bend or lean or fall over backward, to exert oneself to the utmost; make a serious effort: They bent over backward to make sure their guests were comfortable.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME benden (v.) OE bendan to bind, bend (a bow); c. MHG benden, ON benda; akin to ON band band. See band 3

Related forms:
bend⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. curve, crook, flex, bow. 3. mold, subdue, influence. 10. Bend, bow, stoop imply taking a bent posture. Bend and bow are used of the head and upper body; stoop is used of the body only.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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bend 1   (běnd)   
v.   bent (běnt), bend·ing, bends

v.   tr.

  1. To bring (something) into a state of tension: bend a bow.

    1. To cause to assume a curved or angular shape: bend a piece of iron into a horseshoe.

    2. To force to assume a different direction or shape, according to one's own purpose: "Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events" (Robert F. Kennedy).

    3. To misrepresent; distort: bend the truth.

    4. To relax or make an exception to: bend a rule to allow more members into the club.

  3. To cause to swerve from a straight line; deflect.

  4. To render submissive; subdue.

  5. To apply (the mind) closely: "The weary naval officer goes to bed at night having bent his brain all day to a scheme of victory" (Jack Beatty).

  6. Nautical To fasten: bend a mainsail onto the boom.

v.   intr.

    1. To deviate from a straight line or position: The lane bends to the right at the bridge.

    2. To assume a curved, crooked, or angular form or direction: The saplings bent in the wind.

  2. To incline the body; stoop.

  3. To make a concession; yield.

  4. To apply oneself closely; concentrate: She bent to her task.

n.  

    1. The act or fact of bending.

    2. The state of being bent.

  2. Something bent: a bend in the road.

  3. bends Nautical The thick planks in a ship's side; wales.

  4. bends (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Decompression sickness. Used with the.


[Middle English benden, from Old English bendan; see bhendh- in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: These verbs mean to swerve or cause to swerve from a straight line: bent his knees and knelt; crooked an arm around the package; claws that curve under; rounding the lips to articulate an "o"
Antonym: straighten
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

bend 
O.E. bendan "to confine with a string," causative of bindan "to bind," from P.Gmc. base *band- "string, band" (cf. O.N. benda "to join, strain, strive, bend"), from PIE base *bhendh- (cf. Goth. bindan, O.H.G. bintan, Skt. badhnati "binds," Lith. bendras "partner;" O.Pers. bandaka- "subject"). Modern sense (c.1320) is via notion of bending a bow to string it. Cognate with band, bind, and bond). The noun meaning "thing of bent shape" is from c.1600. The bends "decompression pain" first attested 1894. Bender "drinking bout" is U.S. slang, first attested 1846.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

bend (běnd)
v. bent (běnt), bend·ing, bends
To incline the body; stoop.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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