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Definitions for Bends

[1] to force (an object, especially a long or thin one) from a straight form into a curved or angular one, or from a curved or angular form into some different form: to bend an iron rod into a hoop.
[2] to direct or turn in a particular direction: to bend one's energies to the task.
[3] to cause to submit or yield: to bend someone to one's will.
[4] to modify or relax (restrictions, regulations, etc.) temporarily or in certain circumstances: to bend the rules.
[5] to incline mentally (usually followed by to or toward ): bending his thoughts back toward his childhood.
[6] to pull back the string of (a bow or the like) in preparation for shooting.
[7] Nautical . to fasten.
[8] Archaic . to strain or brace tensely (often followed by up ).
[9] to become curved, crooked, or bent: a bow that bends easily.
[10] to assume a bent posture; stoop (often followed by over ): to bend as one walks; to bend over and pick up something.
[11] to turn or incline in a particular direction; be directed: The road bent toward the south.
[12] to yield or submit; give in.
[13] to bow in submission or reverence: bending to one's monarch.
[14] to direct one's energies: We bent to our work as the bell sounded.
[15] the act of bending.
[16] something that bends; curve; crook: a bend in the road; a bend in the curtain rod.
[17] Nautical . any of various loops or knots for joining the ends of two ropes or the like, or for joining the end of a rope or the like to some other object.
[18] bends, Nautical . thick planking immediately below the waterways of a wooden vessel. the wales of a vessel.
[19] the bends, aeroembolism(def 2) .
[20] around /round the bend , Slang . insane; crazy: These interruptions will send me round the bend!
[21] bend /lean /fall over backward , to exert oneself to the utmost; make a serious effort: They bent over backward to make sure their guests were comfortable.
[22] Heraldry . a diagonal band extending from the dexter chief of an escutcheon to the sinister base. Compare bend sinister. in bend, (of a charge) set diagonally or in a diagonal row.
[23] Tanning . half of a trimmed butt or hide.
[24] a city in central Oregon.
[25] an obstruction of the circulatory system caused by air, as may arise during surgery.
[26] Also called the bends, caisson disease, decompression sickness. an acute condition caused by a rapid substantial decrease in atmospheric pressure, as in high-altitude flying and coming up from deep-sea diving, characterized by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood, severe pain in the lungs and joints, and neurological impairment.
[27] (functioning as singular or plural) a nontechnical name for decompression sickness
[28] a former name for air embolism
[29] to form or cause to form a curve, as by pushing or pulling
[30] to turn or cause to turn from a particular direction the road bends left past the church
[31] (intr; often foll by down , etc ) to incline the body; stoop; bow
[32] to submit or cause to submit to bend before superior force
[33] (tr) to turn or direct (one's eyes, steps, attention, etc)
[34] (tr) to concentrate (the mind); apply oneself closely
[35] (tr) nautical to attach or fasten, as a sail to a boom or a line to a cleat
[36] bend over backwards informal to make a special effort, esp in order to please he bends over backwards to accommodate his customers
[37] bend someone's ear informal to speak at length to an unwilling listener, esp to voice one's troubles
[38] bend the rules informal to ignore rules or change them to suit one's own convenience
[39] a curved part, as in a road or river
[40] nautical a knot or eye in a line for joining it to another or to an object
[41] the act or state of bending
[42] round the bend British slang mad; crazy; eccentric
[43] heraldry an ordinary consisting of a diagonal line traversing a shield

Words related to Bends

bendflex, crouch, incline, veer, tilt, buckle, stoop, lean, bow, twist, curl, mold, sway, yield, bending, sag, crook, arc, corner, angle

Words nearby Bends

bendbenchmark, benchmark position, benchrest, benchwarmer, benchy, bend, bend dexter, bend one's elbow, bend over backwards, bend sinister, bend someone's ear

Origin of Bends

aeroembolismFirst recorded in 1935–40; aero- + embolism

Other words from Bends

bend·a·ble , adjective
non·bend·ing , adjective
re·bend·a·ble , adjective

Word origin for Bends

Old English bend band ²; see bend 1

Synonyms for Bends

angle, arc, bending, bow, corner, crook, curvature, deflection, deviation, flection, flexure, hook, lean, loop, round, sag, shift, tack, tilt, turn, twist, yaw, zigzag, curvation