1. Having a curve or bend in, esp. not in original shape
   "bent nails";
   - crumpled, dented
    
2. Of the back and knees: stooped
   "with bent back";
   - bended
    
3. Fixed in purpose; determined to do or have something
   "bent on going to the theatre";
   - bent on, dead set, out to
    
4. [Brit, informal] Tending to act dishonestly in exchange for money or other personal gain
   "The bent cop was caught taking payoffs";
   - crooked [informal], corrupt
    
5. [Brit, vulgar] Homosexual
   "He came out as bent to his family last year"

1. A relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
   "She had a natural bent for mathematics";
   - set
    
2. A special way of doing something
   "he had a bent for it";
   - knack, hang
    
3. Grass used for pastures and lawns, especially bowling and putting greens
   "The golf course's putting greens were maintained with high-quality bent grass";
   - bent grass, bent-grass
    
4. An area of grassland unbounded by fences or hedges
   "The sheep grazed peacefully on the bent"

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"

Derived forms: bents

See also: damaged, dishonest, dishonorable [US], dishonourable [Brit, Cdn], honestness, honesty, illegitimate, illicit, outlaw, outlawed, resolute, sneaky, underhand, underhanded, unerect, unlawful

Type of: change form, change shape, deform, disposition, endowment, gift, grass, grassland, inclination, move, natural endowment, talent, tendency, turn

Antonym: straighten

Part of: Agrostis, genus Agrostis

Encyclopedia: Bent, Silas