bending

transitive verb bent, bending

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

Origin: 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.