bends

bend ¹  (bnd)

v. bent (bnt), bend·ing, bends

v.tr.

1. To bring (something) into a state of tension: bend a bow.

2.

a. To cause to assume a curved or angular shape: bend a piece of iron into a horseshoe.

b. To force to assume a different direction or shape, according to one's own purpose: "Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events" Robert F. Kennedy.

c. To misrepresent; distort: bend the truth.

d. To relax or make an exception to: bend a rule to allow more members into the club.

3. To cause to swerve from a straight line; deflect.

4. To render submissive; subdue.

5. To apply (the mind) closely: "The weary naval officer goes to bed at night having bent his brain all day to a scheme of victory" Jack Beatty.

6. Nautical To fasten: bend a mainsail onto the boom.

v.intr.

1.

a. To deviate from a straight line or position: The lane bends to the right at the bridge.

b. To assume a curved, crooked, or angular form or direction: The saplings bent in the wind.

2. To incline the body; stoop.

3. To make a concession; yield.

4. To apply oneself closely; concentrate: She bent to her task.

n.

1.

a. The act or fact of bending.

b. The state of being bent.

2. Something bent: a bend in the road.

3. bends Nautical The thick planks in a ship's side; wales.

4. bends (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Decompression sickness. Used with the.

Idioms:

around the bend Slang

Insane; crazy.

bend (one's) elbow Slang

To drink alcoholic beverages.

bend out of shape Slang

To annoy or anger.

bend/lean over backward

To make an effort greater than is required.

bend (someone's) ear Slang

To talk to at length, usually excessively.

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[Middle English benden, from Old English bendan; see bhendh- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: bend¹, crook¹, curve, round¹
These verbs mean to swerve or cause to swerve from a straight line: bent his knees and knelt; crooked an arm around the package; claws that curve under; rounding the lips to articulate an "o"

Antonym: straighten

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bends

Noun, pl

the bends Informal decompression sickness

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

bends - pain resulting from rapid change in pressure caisson disease, decompression sickness, gas embolism, aeroembolism, air embolism illness, sickness, unwellness, malady - impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

Translations

bends [bɛndz] npl (MED) → apoplejía por cambios bruscos de presión

bends [bɛndz] npl (Med) → maladie f des caissons

bends [bɛndz] npl (MED) → embolia