bend

[bend]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bend ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), bent or (Archaic) bend·ed; bend·ing.

to force (an object, especially a long or thin one) from a straight form into a curved or angular one, or from a curved or angular form into some different form: to bend an iron rod into a hoop.

to direct or turn in a particular direction: to bend one's energies to the task.

to cause to submit or yield: to bend someone to one's will.

to modify or relax (restrictions, regulations, etc.) temporarily or in certain circumstances: to bend the rules.

to incline mentally (usually followed by to or toward): bending his thoughts back toward his childhood.

to pull back the string of (a bow or the like) in preparation for shooting.

Nautical. to fasten.

Archaic. to strain or brace tensely (often followed by up).

verb (used without object), bent or (Archaic) bend·ed; bend·ing.

to become curved, crooked, or bent: a bow that bends easily.

to assume a bent posture; stoop (often followed by over): to bend as one walks; to bend over and pick up something.

to turn or incline in a particular direction; be directed: The road bent toward the south.

to yield or submit; give in.

to bow in submission or reverence: bending to one's monarch.

to direct one's energies: We bent to our work as the bell sounded.

noun

the act of bending.

something that bends; curve; crook: a bend in the road; a bend in the curtain rod.

Nautical. any of various loops or knots for joining the ends of two ropes or the like, or for joining the end of a rope or the like to some other object.

bends, Nautical.

thick planking immediately below the waterways of a wooden vessel.
the wales of a vessel.

the bends, aeroembolism(def 2).

Idioms

around/round the bend, Slang. insane; crazy: These interruptions will send me round the bend!

bend/lean/fall over backward, to exert oneself to the utmost; make a serious effort: They bent over backward to make sure their guests were comfortable.

Origin of bend

before 1000; Middle English benden (v.) Old English bendan to bind, bend (a bow); cognate with Middle High German benden, Old Norse benda; akin to Old Norse band band. See band³

Related formsbend·a·ble, adjectivenon·bend·ing, adjectivere·bend·a·ble, adjective

Synonyms for bend

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bend ON THESAURUS.COM

1. curve, crook, flex, bow. 3. mold, subdue, influence.

Synonym study

10. Bend, bow, stoop imply taking a bent posture. Bend and bow are used of the head and upper body; stoop is used of the body only.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for bendable

silky, comfortable, elastic, pliable, smooth, fluffy, spongy, comfy, rounded, plastic, creamy, thin, easy, mushy, flexible, supple, delicate, velvety, adaptable, agile

Examples from the Web for bendable

Contemporary Examples of bendable

It was made of very thin, bendable silver, looked like a piece of wire.
Mel Brooks Is Always Funny and Often Wise in This 1975 Playboy Interview
Alex Belth
February 16, 2014
Who was that lithe, bendable gymnast setting alight the Olympic flame?
Meet Putin’s Olympic Torch-Lighting Paramour
Lizzie Crocker
February 7, 2014
The fact is that Putin has never publically acknowledged his rumored relationship with the lithe, bendable Kabaeva.
Meet Putin’s Olympic Torch-Lighting Paramour
Lizzie Crocker
February 7, 2014

Historical Examples of bendable

It all ties in with Mr. Damon's so-called relatives, and their knowledge of my formula for a bendable glass.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope
Victor Appleton
You know, I got the idea for bendable glass while I was trying to figure out a way to make a huge telescope mirror.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope
Victor Appleton
The fugitive crook, Hammer, had finally been nabbed, still with the formula for the bendable glass in his possession.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope
Victor Appleton
Then he proceeded actually to tie a knot in it, so bendable was the new substance!
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope
Victor Appleton

British Dictionary definitions for bendable

bend

verb bends, bending or bent

to form or cause to form a curve, as by pushing or pulling

to turn or cause to turn from a particular directionthe road bends left past the church

(intr; often foll by down , etc) to incline the body; stoop; bow

to submit or cause to submitto bend before superior force

(tr) to turn or direct (one's eyes, steps, attention, etc)

(tr) to concentrate (the mind); apply oneself closely

(tr) nautical to attach or fasten, as a sail to a boom or a line to a cleat

bend over backwards informal to make a special effort, esp in order to pleasehe bends over backwards to accommodate his customers

bend someone's ear informal to speak at length to an unwilling listener, esp to voice one's troubles

bend the rules informal to ignore rules or change them to suit one's own convenience

noun

a curved part, as in a road or river

nautical a knot or eye in a line for joining it to another or to an object

the act or state of bending

round the bend British slang mad; crazy; eccentric

Word Origin for bend

Old English bendan; related to Old Norse benda, Middle High German benden; see bind, band ³

bend

noun

heraldry an ordinary consisting of a diagonal line traversing a shield

Word Origin for bend

Old English bend band ²; see bend 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bendable

bend

Old English bendan "to bend a bow; confine with a string, fetter," causative of bindan "to bind," from Proto-Germanic base *band- "string, band" (cf. Old Norse benda "to join, strain, strive, bend"), from PIE root *bhendh- "to bind" (cf. Gothic bindan, Old High German bintan, Sanskrit badhnati "binds," Lithuanian bendras "partner;" Old Persian bandaka- "subject").

Modern sense (early 14c.) is via notion of bending a bow to string it. Cognate with band, bind, and bond. Related: Bended; bent; bending.

bend

n.1

"a bending or curving," 1590s; "thing of bent shape," c.1600, from bend (v.). Earlier "act of drawing a bow" (mid-15c.). The bends "decompression pain" first attested 1894.

bend

n.2

"broad diagonal band in a coat-of-arms, etc.," c.1400, from earlier sense of "thin, flat strap for wrapping round," from Old English bend "fetter, shackle, chain," from PIE *bhendh- (see bend (v.)).

bendable in Medicine