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.

Bending \Bend"ing\, n.
   The marking of the clothes with stripes or horizontal bands.
   [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Source : WordNet®

bending
     adj : not remaining rigid or straight; "tried to support his
           weight on a bending cane"
     n 1: movement that causes the formation of a curve [syn: {bend}]
     2: the property of being bent or deflected [syn: {deflection},
        {deflexion}]
     3: the act of bending something