BEND


Meaning of BEND in English

I. ˈbend verb

( bent ˈbent ; bend·ing )

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

Date: before 12th century

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

bend ing to their work

3. : incline , tend

4. : compromise 2

• bend·a·ble ˈben-də-bəl adjective

- bend one's ear

- bend over backward

II. noun

Date: 15th century

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. : wale I,2 — usually used in plural

3. plural but singular or plural in construction : the painful manifestations (as joint pain) of decompression sickness ; also : decompression sickness — usually used with the

- around the bend

III. noun

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

Date: 15th century

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.