Bend , n. [AS. bend. See Band, and cf. the preceding noun.]
1. A band. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. [OF. bende, bande,
F. bande. See Band.] (Her.) One of the honorable ordinaries, containing a third or a fifth part
of the field. It crosses the field diagonally from the dexter chief to the
sinister base.
Bend sinister
(Her.), an honorable ordinary drawn from the sinister chief to the
dexter base.
Bend , n. [See Bend, v. t., and cf. Bent, n.]
1. A turn or deflection from a straight line or from
the proper direction or normal position; a curve; a crook; as, a slight bend of the body; a bend in
a road.
2. Turn; purpose; inclination;
ends. [Obs.]
Farewell,
poor swain; thou art not
for my bend.
Fletcher.
3.
(Naut.) A knot by which one
rope is fastened to another or
to an anchor, spar, or post. Totten.
4. (Leather Trade) The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See Butt.
5. (Mining) Hard, indurated clay; bind.
6. pl.
(Med.) same as caisson disease. Usually
referred to as the bends.
Bends of a ship,
the thickest and strongest
planks in her sides, more generally called
wales. They have the beams, knees, and foothooks
bolted to them. Also, the frames or ribs that form the ship's body from the keel
to the top of the sides; as,
the midship bend.
Bend , v. i. 1. To
be moved or strained out of a straight
line; to crook or be
curving; to bow.
The green earth's end
Where the bowed welkin slow doth bend.
Milton.
2. To jut over; to overhang.
There is a cliff, whose high and bending head
Looks fearfully in the confined deep.
Shak.
3. To be inclined; to be directed.
To whom our
vows and wished bend.
Milton.
4. To bow in prayer, or in
token of submission.
While each to
his great Father bends.
Coleridge.
Bend (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bended or Bent (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bending.]
[AS.
bendan to bend, fr. bend a band, bond, fr. bindan to bind. See
Bind, v. t., and cf. 3d & 4th Bend.] 1. To strain or
move out of
a straight line; to crook by straining; to make crooked; to curve; to make ready for use by drawing into a curve; as, to bend a
bow; to bend the knee.
2. To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to
incline. "Bend
thine ear to supplication."
Milton.
Towards Coventry bend we our course.
Shak.
Bending her eyes . . . upon her parent.
Sir W. Scott.
3. To apply closely or with interest; to direct.
To bend his mind to any public business.
Temple.
But when to mischief mortals bend
their will.
Pope.
4. To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue. "Except she bend her humor." Shak.
5.
(Naut.) To fasten,
as one rope
to another, or as a sail to its yard or stay;
or as a cable to the
ring of an anchor. Totten.
To bend the brow, to knit the brow, as in deep thought or in anger; to scowl; to frown. Camden.
Syn. -- To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield.
Hear it pronounced