bend¹ (bĕnd)

---

[Middle English benden, from Old English bendan.]

verb: bent (bĕnt), bend·ing, bends. 

transitive verb 

1. To bring (something) into a state of tension: bend a bow.
2. 1. To cause to assume a curved or angular shape: bend a piece of iron into a horseshoe.
   2. To force to assume a different direction or shape, according to one's own purpose: “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events” (Robert F. Kennedy)
   3. To misrepresent; distort: bend the truth.
   4. To relax or make an exception to: bend a rule to allow more members into the club.
3. To cause to swerve from a straight line; deflect.
4. To render submissive; subdue.
5. To apply (the mind) closely: “The weary naval officer goes to bed at night having bent his brain all day to a scheme of victory” (Jack Beatty)
6. Nautical To fasten: bend a mainsail onto the boom.

intransitive verb 

1. 1. To deviate from a straight line or position: The lane bends to the right at the bridge.
   2. To assume a curved, crooked, or angular form or direction: The saplings bent in the wind.
2. To incline the body; stoop.
3. To make a concession; yield.
4. To apply oneself closely; concentrate: She bent to her task.

noun 

1. 1. The act or fact of bending.
   2. The state of being bent.
2. Something bent: a bend in the road.
3. Nautical The thick planks in a ship's side; wales.
4. Decompression sickness. Used with the.

idioms

around the bend

Insane; crazy.

bend (one's) elbow

To drink alcoholic beverages.

bend out of shape

To annoy or anger.

bend over backward

To make an effort greater than is required.

bend (someone's) ear

To talk to at length, usually excessively.

synonyms:

bend¹crook¹curve, round¹ These verbs mean to swerve or cause to swerve from a straight line: bent his knees and knelt; crooked an arm around the package; claws that curve under; rounding the lips to articulate an “o”
Antonym: straighten

bend² (bĕnd)

---

[Middle English, from Old English bend, band,, and from Old French bende, bande, band (of Germanic origin; see bhendh-).]

noun 

1. Heraldry A band passing from the upper dexter corner of an escutcheon to the lower sinister corner.
2. Nautical A knot that joins a rope to a rope or another object.