bend Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a circular segment of a curve
twist; crook; turn.
- a bend in the road
- a crook in the path
noun movement that causes the formation of a curve
bending.
noun curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)
curve.
noun an angular or rounded shape made by folding
plication; crease; fold; flexure; crimp.
- a fold in the napkin
- a crease in his trousers
- a plication on her blouse
- a flexure of the colon
- a bend of his elbow
noun a town in central Oregon at the eastern foot of the Cascade Range
noun diagonal line traversing a shield from the upper right corner to the lower left
bend dexter.
verb form a curve
flex.
- The stick does not bend
verb change direction
- The road bends
verb cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
twist; flex; turn; deform.
- bend the rod
- twist the dough into a braid
- the strong man could turn an iron bar
verb bend one's back forward from the waist on down
stoop; crouch; bow.
- he crouched down
- She bowed before the Queen
- The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse
verb turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
deflect; turn away.
verb bend a joint
flex.
- flex your wrists
- bend your knees

AS. bendan to bend, fr. bend a band, bond, fr. bindan to bind. See Bind, v. t., and cf. 3d & 4th Bend.

imperfect & past participle Bended or Bent present participle & verbal noun Bending

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.
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.
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.
To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue. "Except she bend her humor." Shak.
(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. Camden. Syn. -- To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield.

To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook or be curving; to bow.
The green earth's end Where the bowed welkin slow doth bend. Milton.
To jut over; to overhang.
There is a cliff, whose high and bending head Looks fearfully in the confined deep. Shak.
To be inclined; to be directed.
To whom our vows and wished bend. Milton.
To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.
While each to his great Father bends. Coleridge.

See Bend, v. t., and cf. Bent, n.

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.
Turn; purpose; inclination; ends. Obs.
Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend. Fletcher.
(Naut.) A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor, spar, or post. Totten.
(Leather Trade) The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See Butt.
(Mining) Hard, indurated clay; bind.

AS. bend. See Band, and cf. the preceding noun.

A band. Obs. Spenser.
OF. bende, bande, F. bande. See Band. (Her.) One of the honorable ordinaries, containing a third or a fifth part of the field. It crosses the field diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base.