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

Example sentences from the Web for bending

British Dictionary definitions for bending (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 bending (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 bending

bend
[ bĕnd ]

v.

To incline the body; stoop.

Idioms and Phrases with bending

bend