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