[bend] 
verb, bent or (Archaic
) bend⋅ed; bend⋅ing, noun | 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). |
| 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. |
| 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.
|
| 19. | the bends, aeroembolism (def. 2). |
| 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. |
bend (běnd)
v. bent (běnt), bend·ing, bends
To incline the body; stoop.