1. to force (an object, especially a long or thin one) from a straight forminto a curved or angular one, or from a curved or angular form into some different form: to bend an iron rod into a hoop.
2. to direct or turn in a particular direction: to bend one's energies to the task.
3. to cause to submit or yield: to bend someone to one's will.
4. to modify or relax (restrictions, regulations, etc.) temporarily or in certain circumstances:

to bend the rules.
5. to incline mentally (usually followed by to or toward):bending his thoughts back toward his childhood.
6. to pull back the string of (a bow or the like) in preparation for shooting.
7. Nautical. to fasten.

8. Archaic. to strain or brace tensely (often followed by up).
verb (used without object), bent or (Archaic) bended; bending.

15. the act of bending.
16. something that bends; curve; crook: a bend in the road; a bend in the curtain rod.
17. Nautical. any of various loops or knots for joining the ends of two ropesor the like, or for joining the end of a rope or the like to some otherobject.
18. bends, Nautical.

1. thick planking immediately below the waterways of a wooden vessel.
2. the wales of a vessel. 

Idioms