ybent

Verb

bend (third-person singular simple present bends, present participle bending, simple past and past participle bent or (archaic) bended)

1. (transitive) To cause (something) to change its shape into a curve, by physical force, chemical action, or any other means.
   • If you bend the pipe too far, it will break.

   Synonyms:

   flex

2. (intransitive) To become curved.
   • Look at the trees bending in the wind.

   Synonyms:

   flex

3. (transitive) To cause to change direction.
   • Bend thine ear to supplication.1667, John Milton, “Book XI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
4. (intransitive) To change direction.
   • The road bends to the right.
5. (intransitive) To be inclined; to direct itself.
   • to whom our vows and wishes bend1634, John Milton, “Arcades”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC
6. (intransitive, usually) To stoop.
   • He bent down to pick up the pieces.

See all 32 meanings of bend