bends

Noun

bend (plural bends)

1. A curve.
   • There's a sharp bend in the road ahead.
2. Any of the various knots which join the ends of two lines.
   • A simpler version of the common bend with its ends in the same direction is used to join binder twine in a hay baling machine.2012, Percy W. Blandford, Practical Knots and Ropework, page 67
3. (in plural) A severe condition caused by excessively quick decompression, causing bubbles of nitrogen to form in the blood; decompression sickness.
   • A diver who stays deep for too long must ascend very slowly in order to prevent the bends.
4. One of the honourable ordinaries formed by two diagonal lines drawn from the dexter chief to the sinister base; it generally occupies a fifth part of the shield if uncharged, but if charged one third.
   • Perhaps the most celebrated coat of arms is that of Scrope, which is Azure a bend Or. This is the coat over which, from 1385 to 1390, Sir Robert le Grosvenor and Sir Richard le Scrope invoked the High Court of Chivalry to decide which of them had the right to bear these arms. Chaucer gave evidence...1968, Charles MacKinnon of Dunakin, The Observer's Book of Heraldry, pages 63–64
5. (obsolete) Turn; purpose; inclination; ends.
   • Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend.1608, John Fletcher, The Faithful Shepherdess, act 1, scene 3
6. In the leather trade, the best quality of sole leather; a butt; sometimes, half a butt cut lengthwise.

See all 32 meanings of bend