Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Bend \Bend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bended} or {Bent}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Bending}.] [AS. bendan to bend, fr. bend a band,
   bond, fr. bindan to bind. See {Bind}, v. t., and cf. 3d & 4th
   {Bend}.]
   1. 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. To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline.
      ``Bend thine ear to supplication.'' --Milton.

            Towards Coventry bend we our course.  --Shak.

            Bending her eyes . . . upon her parent. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

   3. To apply closely or with interest; to direct.

            To bend his mind to any public business. --Temple.

            But when to mischief mortals bend their will.
                                                  --Pope.

   4. To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue.
      ``Except she bend her humor.'' --Shak.

   5. (Naut.) 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.
      --Totten.

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

   Syn: To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield.

Bend \Bend\, n. [See {Bend}, v. t., and cf. {Bent}, n.]
   1. 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.

   2. Turn; purpose; inclination; ends. [Obs.]

            Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend.
                                                  --Fletcher.

   3. (Naut.) A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or
      to an anchor, spar, or post. --Totten.

   4. (Leather Trade) The best quality of sole leather; a butt.
      See {Butt}.

   5. (Mining) Hard, indurated clay; bind.

   6. pl. (Med.) same as {caisson disease}. Usually referred to
      as {the bends}.

   {Bends of a ship}, the thickest and strongest planks in her
      sides, more generally called wales. They have the beams,
      knees, and foothooks bolted to them. Also, the frames or
      ribs that form the ship's body from the keel to the top of
      the sides; as, the midship bend.

Bend \Bend\, n. [AS. bend. See {Band}, and cf. the preceding
   noun.]
   1. A band. [Obs.] --Spenser.

   2. [OF. bende, bande, F. bande. See {Band}.] (Her.) 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.

   {Bend sinister} (Her.), an honorable ordinary drawn from the
      sinister chief to the dexter base.

Bend \Bend\, v. i.
   1. To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook
      or be curving; to bow.

            The green earth's end Where the bowed welkin slow
            doth bend.                            --Milton.

   2. To jut over; to overhang.

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

   3. To be inclined; to be directed.

            To whom our vows and wished bend.     --Milton.

   4. To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.

            While each to his great Father bends. --Coleridge.

Source : WordNet®

bend
     n 1: a circular segment of a curve; "a bend in the road"; "a
          crook in the path" [syn: {crook}, {turn}]
     2: movement that causes the formation of a curve [syn: {bending}]
     3: curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)
        [syn: {curve}]
     4: an angular or rounded shape made by folding; "a fold in the
        napkin"; "a crease in his trousers"; "a plication on her
        blouse"; "a flexure of the colon"; "a bend of his elbow"
        [syn: {fold}, {crease}, {plication}, {flexure}, {crimp}]
     5: a town in central Oregon at the eastern foot of the Cascade
        Range
     6: diagonal line traversing a shield from the upper right
        corner to the lower left [syn: {bend dexter}]
     [also: {bent}]

bend
     v 1: form a curve; "The stick does not bend" [syn: {flex}] [ant:
          {straighten}]
     2: change direction; "The road bends"
     3: cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular
        form; "bend the rod"; "twist the dough into a braid"; "the
        strong man could turn an iron bar" [syn: {flex}, {deform},
         {twist}, {turn}] [ant: {unbend}]
     4: bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched
        down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man
        stooped to pick up the girl's purse" [syn: {crouch}, {stoop},
         {bow}]
     5: turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of
        interest [syn: {deflect}, {turn away}]
     6: bend a joint; "flex your wrists"; "bend your knees" [syn: {flex}]
     [also: {bent}]