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unbending

 - 5 dictionary results

un⋅bend⋅ing

  [uhn-ben-ding]
Use unbending in a Sentence
–adjective
1. not bending or curving; inflexible; rigid.
2. refusing to yield or compromise; resolute.
3. austere or formal; aloof.
Origin:
1545–55; un- 1 + bending

Related forms:
un⋅bend⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
un⋅bend⋅ing⋅ness, noun

un⋅bend

  [uhn-bend] verb, -bent or (Archaic) -bend⋅ed, -bend⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to straighten from a bent form or position.
2. to release from the strain of formality, intense effort, etc.; relax: to unbend one's mind.
3. to release from tension, as a bow.
4. Nautical.
a. to loose or untie, as a sail or rope.
b. to unfasten from spars or stays, as sails.
–verb (used without object)
5. to relax the strictness of formality or ceremony; act in an easy, genial manner: Imagine him unbending!
6. to become unbent; straighten.
Origin:
1200–50; ME; see un- 2 , bend 1

Related forms:
un⋅bend⋅a⋅ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To unbending
un·bend   (ŭn-běnd')   
v.   un·bent (-běnt'), un·bend·ing, un·bends

v.   tr.

  1. To release from mental tension, strain, or formality; relax.

  2. To release (a bow, for example) from flexure or tension.

  3. Nautical To untie or loosen (a rope or sail).

  4. To straighten (something crooked or bent): unbend a paper clip.

v.   intr.

  1. To become less tense; relax.

  2. To become less strict.

  3. To become straight.

un·bend'a·ble adj.
un·bend·ing   (ŭn-běn'dĭng)   
adj.  

  1. Not yielding; inflexible: an unbending will to dominate.

  2. Aloof and often antisocial; extremely reserved: an unbending manner.

un·bend'ing·ly adv.
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

unbend 
"to relax a bow by unstringing it," c.1250, from un- (2) + bend. Fig. meaning "to become genial, relax" (1748) has a sense opposite to that of unbending "inflexible, obstinate" (1688), which does not derive from the bowstringing image.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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