bend

/bentʃ/

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The word "bend" can be both a noun and a verb, and it has several meanings and uses. Let's break it down for you!

Basic Definition:

1. As a Verb: To bend means to shape something by curving it or to move something from a straight position to a curved one.

   • Example: "She bent the metal rod to fit the frame."

2. As a Noun: A bend refers to a curve or a change in direction, like a bend in a road or a river.

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

Usage Instructions:

• Verb Usage: Use "bend" when you want to describe the action of altering the shape or direction of something.
• Noun Usage: Use "bend" when you want to refer to the actual curved part itself.

Example Sentences:

• Verb: "You need to bend your knees when you lift something heavy."
• Noun: "The river has a gentle bend where we can fish."

Advanced Usage:

• In more advanced contexts, "bend" can refer to figurative meanings, such as bending rules or norms.
  • Example: "Sometimes you have to bend the rules to find a better solution."

Word Variants:

• Bending (present participle): "She is bending the paper to make a card."
• Bent (past tense): "He bent the spoon with his hands."

Different Meanings:

• Bend (noun): Can also refer to a fold or crease, like in fabric.
  • Example: "There was a bend in her dress where she had sat down."
• Bend (verb): Can mean to yield or submit to pressure.
  • Example: "He refused to bend to peer pressure."

Synonyms:

• For the verb: curve, flex, twist, bow, stoop.
• For the noun: curve, twist, angle, fold.

Idioms:

• "Bend over backward" means to make a great effort to help someone or to accommodate someone.
  • Example: "She bent over backward to make sure her guests were comfortable."

Phrasal Verbs:

• "Bend down": To lean forward and lower your body.
  • Example: "Please bend down to pick up that toy."

Academic

Noun

1. diagonal line traversing a shield from the upper right corner to the lower left
2. a town in central Oregon at the eastern foot of the Cascade Range
3. an angular or rounded shape made by folding
   • a fold in the napkin
   • a crease in his trousers
   • a plication on her blouse
   • a flexure of the colon
   • a bend of his elbow
4. curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)
5. movement that causes the formation of a curve
6. a circular segment of a curve
   • a bend in the road
   • a crook in the path

Verb

1. bend a joint
   • flex your wrists
   • bend your knees
2. turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
3. bend one's back forward from the waist on down
   • he crouched down
   • She bowed before the Queen
   • The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse
4. cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
   • bend the rod
   • twist the dough into a braid
   • the strong man could turn an iron bar
5. change direction
   • The road bends
6. form a curve
   • The stick does not bend

Synonyms

• bend dexter
• Bend
• fold
• crease
• plication
• flexure
• crimp
• curve
• bending
• crook
• twist
• turn
• flex
• deflect
• turn away
• crouch
• stoop
• bow
• deform