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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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. [1913 Webster] 2. To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline. "Bend thine ear to supplication." --Milton. [1913 Webster] Towards Coventry bend we our course. --Shak. [1913 Webster] Bending her eyes . . . upon her parent. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] 3. To apply closely or with interest; to direct. [1913 Webster] To bend his mind to any public business. --Temple. [1913 Webster] But when to mischief mortals bend their will. --Pope. [1913 Webster] 4. To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue. "Except she bend her humor." --Shak. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] To bend the brow, to knit the brow, as in deep thought or in anger; to scowl; to frown. --Camden. [1913 Webster] Syn: To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield. [1913 Webster]