bent

For the verb: "to bend"

Simple Past:	bent
Past Participle:	bent

Multiple Entries:
  bent    bend  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
bent1 past and past participle of bend1

▶adjective

• 1 sharply curved or having an angle.

• 2 Brit. informal dishonest; corrupt.

• 3 Brit. informal, derogatory homosexual.

• 4 (bent on) determined to do or have.

▶noun a natural talent or inclination.

– phrases
bent out of shape N. Amer. informal angry or agitated.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
bent2

▶noun

• 1 a stiff grass which is used for lawns and in hay grasses. [Agrostis capillaris and other species.]

• 2 archaic or dialect a heath or unenclosed pasture.

– origin ME: from OE beonet, of W. Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
bend1

▶verb (past and past part. bent)

• 1 shape or force (something straight) into a curve or angle.

  ■ (of a road, river, or path) deviate from a straight line.

• 2 (of a person) incline the body downwards; stoop.

• 3 interpret or modify (a rule) to suit oneself.

• 4 direct (one's attention or energies) to a task.

• 5 Nautical attach (a sail or cable) by means of a knot.

▶noun

• 1 a curved or angled part.

  ■ a curve in a road, path, or river.

• 2 a kind of knot used to join two ropes together, or one rope to another object.

• 3 (the bends) [treated as sing.] decompression sickness.

– phrases
bend someone's ear informal talk to someone, especially at length or to ask a favour.
bend one's elbow N. Amer. informal drink alcohol.
round (or US around) the bend informal mad.

– derivatives
bendable adjective,
bendiness noun,
bendy adjective (bendier, bendiest).

– origin OE bendan ‘put in bonds, tension a bow by means of a string’, of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
bend2

▶noun Heraldry a broad diagonal stripe from top left to bottom right of a shield.

– origin ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. bande, OFr. bende ‘flat strip’.