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Bend

1. A turn or deflection from a straight line or from the proper direction or normal position; a curve; a crook; as, a slight bend of the body; a bend in a road.

2. Turn; purpose; inclination; ends. Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend. (Fletcher)

3. A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor, spar, or post.

4. The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See butt.

5. (Science: chemical) hard, indurated clay; bind. Bends of a ship, the thickest and strongest planks in her sides, more generally called wales. They have the beams, knees, and foothooks bolted to them. Also, the frames or ribs that form the ships body from the keel to the top of the sides; as, the midship bend.

See: bend, and cf. Bent.