Definition of "bend" in Anglais

verb

1. (transitive) To cause (something) to change its shape into a curve, by physical force, chemical action, or any other means.

   • If you bend the pipe too far, it will break.
   • Don’t bend your knees.

2. (intransitive) To become curved.

   • Look at the trees bending in the wind.

3. (transitive) To cause to change direction.

4. (intransitive) To change direction.

   • The road bends to the right.

5. (intransitive) To be inclined; to direct itself.

6. (intransitive, usually with "down") To stoop.

   • He bent down to pick up the pieces.

7. (intransitive) To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.

8. (transitive) To force to submit.

   • They bent me to their will.

9. (intransitive) To submit.

   • I am bending to my desire to eat junk food.

10. (transitive) To apply to a task or purpose.

    • He bent the company's resources to gaining market share.

11. (intransitive) To apply oneself to a task or purpose.

    • He bent to the goal of gaining market share.

12. (transitive) To adapt or interpret to for a purpose or beneficiary.

13. (transitive, nautical) To tie, as in securing a line to a cleat; to shackle a chain to an anchor; make fast.

    • Bend the sail to the yard.

14. (transitive, music) To smoothly change the pitch of a note.

    • You should bend the G slightly sharp in the next measure.

15. (intransitive, nautical) To swing the body when rowing.

noun

1. A curve.

   • There's a sharp bend in the road ahead.

2. Any of the various knots which join the ends of two lines.

3. (in the plural, medicine, underwater diving, with the) A severe condition caused by excessively quick decompression, causing bubbles of nitrogen to form in the blood; decompression sickness.

   • A diver who stays deep for too long must ascend very slowly in order to prevent the bends.

4. (heraldry) One of the honourable ordinaries formed by two diagonal lines drawn from the dexter chief to the sinister base; it generally occupies a fifth part of the shield if uncharged, but if charged one third.

5. (obsolete) Turn; purpose; inclination; ends.