bend

1
[ bend ]
/ bɛnd /

verb (used with object), bent or (Archaic) bend·ed; bend·ing.

verb (used without object), bent or (Archaic) bend·ed; bend·ing.

noun

Idioms for bend

    around/round the bend, Slang. insane; crazy: These interruptions will send me round the bend!
    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.

Origin of bend

1
before 1000; Middle English benden (v.) Old English bendan to bind, bend (a bow); cognate with Middle High German benden, Old Norse benda; akin to Old Norse band band. See band3

synonym study for bend

10. Bend, bow, stoop imply taking a bent posture. Bend and bow are used of the head and upper body; stoop is used of the body only.

OTHER WORDS FROM bend

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

British Dictionary definitions for around the bend (1 of 2)

bend 1
/ (bɛnd) /

verb bends, bending or bent

noun

See also bends

Derived forms of bend

bendable, adjective

Word Origin for bend

Old English bendan; related to Old Norse benda, Middle High German benden; see bind, band ³

British Dictionary definitions for around the bend (2 of 2)

bend 2
/ (bɛnd) /

noun

heraldry an ordinary consisting of a diagonal line traversing a shield

Word Origin for bend

Old English bend band ²; see bend 1

Medical definitions for around the bend

bend
[ bĕnd ]

v.

To incline the body; stoop.

Idioms and Phrases with around the bend (1 of 2)

around the bend

1

Around a curve or corner on a road or pathway, as in Peter's house is just around the bend. Also see around the corner, def. 1.

2

Also, round the bend. Crazy, insane, as in Throwing out that perfectly good steak? Have you gone round the bend? [Colloquial; early 1900s]

Idioms and Phrases with around the bend (2 of 2)

bend