Bend | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Bĕnd, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. BENDED or BENT; p. pr. & vb. n. BENDING.] [A.-S. bendan, to bend, a modification of bindan, to bind, primarily used of a bow, as the Fr. bender, which is derived from bande, string, signifying to bind, to tie, to bend (a bow).]

Sense 1. To strain or move out of a straight line; to crook by straining; to crook; to curve. “They bend their bows.” Dryden.

In duty bend thy knee to me. Shak.

Sense 2. To turn out of the direct course to some certain point; to direct. “Bend thine ear.” Milton.

Toward Coventry bend we our way. Shak.

Bending her eyes from time to time upon her parent. W. Scott.

Sense 3. Hence, to incline or exercise closely or with interest; to exert; to apply.

To bend his mind to any public business. Temple.

But when to mischief mortals bend their will. Pope.

Sense 4. To cause to yield by straining; to render submissive; to subdue. “Except she bend her humor.” Shak.

That bends his rage thy providence to oppose. Milton.

Sense 5. To prepare or put in order by straining. “A fowler was bending his bow.” L’Estrange.

He hath bent his bow and made it ready. Ps. vii. 12.

Sense 6. (Naut.) To fasten, as one rope to another, or to an anchor; or as a sail to its yard or stay; or as a cable to the ring of an anchor. Mar. Dict.

To bend the brow, to knit the brow, as in deep thought or in anger; to scowl; to frown. Camden.

Bĕnd, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. 1. To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook or be curving; to bow; to jut or overhang.

There is a cliff whose high and bending head Looks fearfully on the confined deep. Shak.

With fourscore years gray Natho bends. Cotton.

Sense 2. To be inclined with interest, or closely; to be directed; to purpose. “Bent on instruction.” Addison. “Bent on mischief.” Dryden.

To whom our vows and wishes bend. Milton.

Sense 3. To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.

While each to his great Father bends. Coleridge.

Bĕnd, n.

noun

n. [See BENT.] 1. A turn or deflection from a straight line or direction; a curve; a crook; a bow; an incurvation; as, a slight bend of the body; a bend in a road. 2. Turn; purpose; ends. [Obs.] Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend. Fletcher.

(Naut.) A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor. Totten.
(Her.) One of the honorable ordinaries, containing a third part of the field. It is made by two lines drawn across from the dexter chief to the sinister base point. Burke.
(Leather Business.) A butt.

Bends of a ship, the thickest and strongest planks in her sides, more generally called wales. They have the beams, knees, and foot-hooks bolted to them. Totten.

Bĕnd, n.

noun

n. [A-S. bend.] A band. [Obs.] Spenser.