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unbent

 - 4 dictionary results

un⋅bent

[uhn-bent]
–verb
1. pt. and pp. of unbend.
–adjective
2. not bent; unbowed.
3. not having yielded or submitted.

Origin:
1475–85; (in defs. 2 and 3) un- 1 + bent 1

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


un⋅bend⋅a⋅ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To unbent
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·bent   (ŭn-běnt')   
v.  Past tense and past participle of unbend.
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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