Meaning of bend in English | Powered by Free Dictionary API

bend

Phonetics

/bɛnd/

noun

A curve.
Example: There's a sharp bend in the road ahead.
Any of the various knots which join the ends of two lines.
(in the plural, underwater diving, with the) A severe condition caused by excessively quick decompression, causing bubbles of nitrogen to form in the blood; decompression sickness.
Example: A diver who stays deep for too long must ascend very slowly in order to prevent the bends.
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.
Turn; purpose; inclination; ends.
In the leather trade, the best quality of sole leather; a butt; sometimes, half a butt cut lengthwise.
Hard, indurated clay; bind.
(in the plural) The thickest and strongest planks in a ship's sides, more generally called wales, which have the beams, knees, and futtocks bolted to them.
(in the plural) The frames or ribs that form the ship's body from the keel to the top of the sides.
Example: the midship bends
A glissando, or glide between one pitch and another.

verb

To cause (something) to change its shape into a curve, by physical force, chemical action, or any other means.
Example: Don’t bend your knees.
To become curved.
Example: Look at the trees bending in the wind.
To cause to change direction.
To change direction.
Example: The road bends to the right
To be inclined; to direct itself.
(usually with "down") To stoop.
Example: He bent down to pick up the pieces.
To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.
To force to submit.
Example: They bent me to their will.
To submit.
Example: I am bending to my desire to eat junk food.
To apply to a task or purpose.
Example: He bent the company's resources to gaining market share.
To apply oneself to a task or purpose.
Example: He bent to the goal of gaining market share.
To adapt or interpret to for a purpose or beneficiary.
To tie, as in securing a line to a cleat; to shackle a chain to an anchor; make fast.
Example: Bend the sail to the yard.
To smoothly change the pitch of a note.
Example: You should bend the G slightly sharp in the next measure.
To swing the body when rowing.