bend

¹bend

verb \ˈbend\

bent \ˈbent\ bend·ing

Definition of BEND

transitive verb

1

: to constrain or strain to tension by curving <bend a bow>

2

a : to turn or force from straight or even to curved or angular

b : to force from a proper shape

c : to force back to an original straight or even condition

3

: fasten <bend a sail to its yard>

4

a : to cause to turn from a straight course : deflect

b : to guide or turn toward : direct

c : incline, dispose

d : to adapt to one's purpose : distort <bend the rules>

5

: to direct strenuously or with interest : apply <bent himself to the task>

6

: to make submissive : subdue

intransitive verb

1

: to curve out of a straight line or position; specifically : to incline the body in token of submission

2

: to apply oneself vigorously <bending to their work>

3

: incline, tend

4

: compromise 2

— bend·a·ble \ˈben-də-bəl\ adjective

— bend one's ear

: to talk to someone at length

— bend over backward or bend over backwards

: to make extreme efforts

Examples of BEND

1. bend a wire into a circle
2. bend the cable around a wheel
3. He bent the bow and shot an arrow from it.
4. His glasses got bent when he dropped them.
5. The trees were bending in the wind.
6. The branch will bend before it breaks.
7. She bent down to pick up a piece of paper and then she straightened up again.
8. He bent back to look up at the ceiling.
9. bend to the left and then bend to the right

Origin of BEND

Middle English, from Old English bendan; akin to Old English bend fetter — more at band

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BEND

Synonyms

arch, bow, crook, curve, hook, swerve

Antonyms

straighten, unbend, uncurl

Related Words

arc, round; incurvate, incurve, inflect, reflect; deflect, divert; entwine, kink, swirl, turn, twine, twist, veer, warp; coil, curl, enroll (also enrol), loop, spiral; dent, dimple; meander, wave, weave, wind; decline, incline, slope

Near Antonyms

dally, dawdle, dillydally, fiddle (around), fool around, idle, mess around, monkey (around), play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

²bend

noun

Definition of BEND

1

: the act or process of bending : the state of being bent

2

: something that is bent: as

a : a curved part of a path (as of a stream or road)

b : ¹wale 2 —usually used in plural

3

plural but sing or plural in constr : the painful manifestations (as joint pain) of decompression sickness; also : decompression sickness —usually used with the

— around the bend

: mad, crazy

First Known Use of BEND

15th century

³bend

noun

Definition of BEND

1

: a diagonal band that runs from the dexter chief to the sinister base on a heraldic shield — compare bend sinister

2

[Middle English, band, from Old English bend fetter — more at band] : a knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to some object

Origin of BEND

Middle English, from Middle French bende, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German binta, bant band — more at band

First Known Use: 15th century

Bend

geographical name \ˈbend\

Definition of BEND

city cen Oregon on the Deschutes pop 52,029