transitive verb bent, bending bend′·ing

1. Obsolete to cause tension in (a bow, etc.), as by drawing with a string
2. to force (an object) into a curved or crooked form, or (back) to its original form, by turning, pulling, pressing, etc.
3. to turn from a straight line light rays are bent by refraction
4. to make submit or give in to bend another's will to one's wishes
5. to turn or direct (one's eyes, attention, energy, etc. to)
6. to cause to have a fixed purpose; determine: used in the passive voice he was bent on success
7. to incline or tend (to or toward)
8. Naut. to attach; fasten to bend a signal flag onto a halyard

Etymology: ME benden < OE bendan, to confine with a string (< Gmc *bandjan < *bindan > bind); hence, to fetter, bend (a bow)

intransitive verb

1. to turn or be turned from a straight line or from some direction or position
2. to yield by curving or crooking, as from pressure
3. to crook or curve the body from a standing position; stoop (over or down)
4. to give in; yield he bent to her wishes
5. Archaic to direct one's attention, energy, etc. (to something)

noun

1. a bending or being bent
2. a bent or curving part, as of a river
3. Naut. a wale: usually used in pl.