Definition of bent
1 : unenclosed grassland
2 botany a (1) : a reedy grass (see 1grass 2) (2) : a stalk of stiff coarse grassb : bent grass
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Origin and Etymology of bent
Middle English, grassy place, bent grass, from Old English beonot-; akin to Old High German binuz rush
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Ecology Terms
bent
Definition of bent
1 : changed by bending out of an originally straight or even condition bent twigs standing with knees slightly bent
2 : strongly inclined : determined —usually used with on was bent on going
3 slang a : different from the normal or usual … she was so bent that she's probably a woman who ought to be locked up somewhere … — Robert Redfordb chiefly British : dishonest, corrupt a bent cop
bent out of shape
: extremely upset or angry
Examples of bent in a Sentence
With your knees slightly bent, bend forward and touch your toes.
the drug dealer knew which of the cops were bent
Origin and Etymology of bent
Middle English, from past participle of benden to bend
First Known Use: 14th century
bent
Definition of bent
1a : a strong inclination or interest : bias the organization's religious bentb : a special inclination or capacity : talent students with a scientific bent
2 : capacity of endurance They fool me to the top of my bent. — Shakespeare
3 engineering : a transverse framework (as in a bridge) to carry lateral as well as vertical loads
Origin and Etymology of bent
irregular from 1bend
First Known Use: 1587
Synonym Discussion of bent
BENT Defined for English Language Learners
bent
Definition of bent for English Language Learners
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: having a shape that is changed by bending : not straight
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: not honest
BENT Defined for Kids
Definition of bent for Students
: a natural talent or interest Some students have a scientific bent.
Learn More about bent
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See words that rhyme with bent Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bent Spanish Central: Translation of bent Nglish: Translation of bent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bent for Arabic speakers
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