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.
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 band3]
—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.
To bring (something) into a state of tension: bend a bow.
To cause to assume a curved or angular shape: bend a piece of iron into a horseshoe.
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).
To misrepresent; distort: bend the truth.
To relax or make an exception to: bend a rule to allow more members into the club.
To cause to swerve from a straight line; deflect.
To render submissive; subdue.
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).
Nautical To fasten: bend a mainsail onto the boom.
v.
intr.
To deviate from a straight line or position: The lane bends to the right at the bridge.
To assume a curved, crooked, or angular form or direction: The saplings bent in the wind.
To incline the body; stoop.
To make a concession; yield.
To apply oneself closely; concentrate: She bent to her task.
n.
The act or fact of bending.
The state of being bent.
Something bent: a bend in the road.
bendsNautical The thick planks in a ship's side; wales.
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"
"mental inclination," 1586, from the adj., "not straight" (c.1374), originally pp. of bend. The verb meaning "directed in a course" is from 1697. Phrase bent out of shape "extremely upset" is 1960s Air Force and college student slang.
"stiff grass," O.E. beonet, from W.Gmc. *binut- "rush, marsh grass" (cf. Ger. binse "rush, reed"), of unknown origin. An obsolete word, but common in place names (cf. Bentley, from O.E. Beonet-leah).
Bent County, CO (county, FIPS 11) Location: 37.95486 N, 103.07665 W Population (1990): 5048 (2332 housing units) Area: 3921.3 sq km (land), 70.5 sq km (water)
Bent Creek, NC (CDP, FIPS 5049) Location: 35.51094 N, 82.61432 W Population (1990): 1487 (556 housing units) Area: 6.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Bend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bended or Bent; p. pr. & vb. n. Bending.] [AS. bendan to bend, fr. bend a band, bond, fr. bindan to bind. See Bind, v. t., and cf. 3d & 4th Bend.]1. To strain or move out of a straight line; to crook by straining; to make crooked; to curve; to make ready for use by drawing into a curve; as, to bend a bow; to bend the knee. 2. To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline. "Bend thine ear to supplication." --Milton. Towards Coventry bend we our course. --Shak. Bending her eyes . . . upon her parent. --Sir W. Scott. 3. To apply closely or with interest; to direct. To bend his mind to any public business. --Temple. But when to mischief mortals bend their will. --Pope. 4. To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue. "Except she bend her humor." --Shak. 5. (Naut.) To fasten, as one rope to another, or as a sail to its yard or stay; or as a cable to the ring of an anchor. --Totten. To bend the brow, to knit the brow, as in deep thought or in anger; to scowl; to frown. --Camden. Syn: To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield.
Bend\, n. [See Bend, v. t., and cf. Bent, n.]1. A turn or deflection from a straight line or from the proper direction or normal position; a curve; a crook; as, a slight bend of the body; a bend in a road. 2. Turn; purpose; inclination; ends. [Obs.] Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend. --Fletcher. 3. (Naut.) A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor, spar, or post. --Totten. 4. (Leather Trade) The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See Butt. 5. (Mining) Hard, indurated clay; bind. 6. pl. (Med.) same as caisson disease. Usually referred to as the bends. Bends of a ship, the thickest and strongest planks in her sides, more generally called wales. They have the beams, knees, and foothooks bolted to them. Also, the frames or ribs that form the ship's body from the keel to the top of the sides; as, the midship bend.
Bent\, a. & p. p. 1. Changed by pressure so as to be no longer straight; crooked; as, a bent pin; a bent lever. 2. Strongly inclined toward something, so as to be resolved, determined, set, etc.; -- said of the mind, character, disposition, desires, etc., and used with on; as, to be bent on going to college; he is bent on mischief.
![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
Audio Help [bent] Pronunciation Key 
