bend1
v.
(past and past part. bent)
- shape or force (something straight) into a curve or angle.
▸(of a road, river, or path) deviate from a straight line.
- (of a person) incline the body downwards; stoop.
- interpret or modify (a rule) to suit oneself.
- direct (one's attention or energies) to a task.
- Nautical attach (a sail or cable) by means of a knot.
n.
- a curved or angled part.
▸a curve in a road, path, or river.
- a kind of knot used to join two ropes together, or one rope to another object.
-
(the bends)
[treated as sing.]
decompression sickness.
Phrase
- bend someone's ear
informal talk to someone, especially at length or to ask a favour. - bend one's elbow
N. Amer. informal drink alcohol. - round
(or US around)
the bend
informal mad.
Derivative
- bendable adj.
- bendiness n.
- bendy adj.
(bendier, bendiest)
.
Etymology
OE bendan ‘put in bonds, tension a bow by means of a string’, of Gmc origin.
bend2
n.
Heraldry a broad diagonal stripe from top left to bottom right of a shield.
Etymology
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. bande, OFr. bende ‘flat strip’.