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Thesaurus: bend

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.

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  1. v. t. 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. v. t. To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline.
  3. v. t. To apply closely or with interest; to direct.
  4. v. t. To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue.
  5. v. t. 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.
  6. v. i. To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook or be curving; to bow.
  7. v. i. To jut over; to overhang.
  8. v. i. To be inclined; to be directed.
  9. v. i. To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.
  10. n. 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.
  11. n. Turn; purpose; inclination; ends.
  12. n. A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor, spar, or post.
  13. n. The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See Butt.
  14. n. Hard, indurated clay; bind.
  15. n. same as caisson disease. Usually referred to as the bends.
  16. n. A band.
  17. n. 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.