1. Pain resulting from rapid change in pressure
   "The diver suffered from the bends after ascending too quickly";
   - decompression sickness, aeroembolism, air embolism, gas embolism, caisson disease, the bends

1. A circular segment of a curve
   "a bend in the road";
   - crook, twist, turn
    
2. Curved segment (of a road, river or railway track etc.)
   "The car slowed down as it approached the sharp bend in the road";
   - curve
    
3. Movement that causes the formation of a curve
   "The river's gentle bend created a natural harbour";
   - bending
    
4. An angular or rounded shape made by folding
   "a bend of his elbow";
   - fold, crease, plication, flexure, crimp
    
5. Diagonal line traversing a shield from the upper right corner to the lower left
   "The family coat of arms featured a prominent bend dexter in gold";
   - bend dexter
    
6. A type of knot used to join two ropes
   "They used a sheet bend to connect the two different-sized ropes"

1. Form a curve
   "The stick does not bend";
   - flex
    
2. Change direction
   "The road bends"
    
3. Cause (an object) to assume a crooked or angular form
   "bend the rod";
   - flex, deform, twist, turn
    
4. Turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
   "The light bent as it passed through the prism";
   - deflect, turn away
    
5. Bend one's back forward from the waist on down
   "he bent down";
   - stoop, bow[2]
    
6. Bend a joint
   "bend your knees";
   - flex
    
7. Interpret or modify (a rule) to fit what one wants to do
   "he often bends the rules"
    
8. (music) smoothly change the pitch of a note
   "The guitarist bent the strings to create a bluesy sound"

Type of: angular shape, angularity, change form, change shape, curve, curved shape, deform, illness, malady, motion, move, movement, ordinary, section, segment, sickness, turn, unwellness

Antonym: straighten

Part of: road, route

Encyclopedia: Bends