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bend¹

(bĕnd)

v. bent(bĕnt), bend·ing, bends

v. tr.

a. To cause to assume a curved or angular shape: bend a piece of iron into a horseshoe.

b. To bring (a bow, for example) into a state of tension by drawing on a string or line.

c. 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).

d. To misrepresent; distort: bend the truth.

e. To relax or make an exception to: bend a rule to allow more members into the club.

2. To cause to swerve from a straight line; deflect: Light is bent as it passes through water.

3. To render submissive; subdue: “[His] words so often bewitched crowds and bent them to his will” (W. Bruce Lincoln).

4. 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).

5. Nautical To fasten: bend a mainsail onto the boom.

v. intr.

a. To deviate from a straight line or position: The lane bends to the right at the bridge.

b. 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.

a. The act or fact of bending.

b. The state of being bent.

2. Something bent: a bend in the road.

3. Nautical

a. A knot that joins a rope to a rope or another object.

b. bends The thick planks in a ship's side; wales.

4. bends (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Decompression sickness. Used with the.

Idioms:

around the bend Slang

Mentally deranged; crazy.

bend (one's) elbow Slang

To drink alcoholic beverages.

bend out of shape Slang

To annoy or anger.

bend (or lean)over backward

To make an effort greater than is required.

bend (someone's) ear Slang

To talk to at length, usually excessively.

[Middle English benden, from Old English bendan; see bhendh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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