bend
Translation
to bend, to curve, to stoop, to yield
Examples
Bend your knees when you lift heavy things.
Bend your knees when you lift heavy things.
The road bends sharply to the left.
The road bends sharply to the left.
He refused to bend to the company's demands.
He refused to bend to the company's demands.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to shape or force (sth.) into a curve or angle. He bent the wire into a circle.
((direction)) to have or take a curved or angled course. The road bends to the right.
Similar Words
Synonyms: curve, flex, bow; Antonyms: straighten
Etymology
From Old English 'bendan', meaning 'to bind, to curve'.
Memory Tips
Imagine bending a metal bar. It takes force to change its shape from straight to curved.