unbend
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Unbend — Un*bend , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Unbent}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Unbending}.] [1st pref. un + bend.] 1. To free from flexure; to make, or allow to become, straight; to loosen; as, to unbend a bow. [1913 Webster] 2. A remit from a strain or from exertion; … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Unbend — Un*bend , v. i. 1. To cease to be bent; to become straight or relaxed. [1913 Webster] 2. To relax in exertion, attention, severity, or the like; hence, to indulge in mirth or amusement. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
unbend — (v.) to relax a bow by unstringing it, mid 13c., from UN (Cf. un ) (2) + BEND (Cf. bend) (v.). Figurative meaning to become genial, relax (1748) has a sense opposite to that of unbending inflexible, obstinate (1680s), which does not derive from… … Etymology dictionary
unbend — [un bend′] vt. unbent or unbended, unbending [ME unbenden: see UN & BEND1] 1. to release (a bow, etc.) from strain or tension 2. to relax (the mind) from strain or effort 3. to straighten (something bent or crooked) … English World dictionary
unbend — verb a) To free from flexure; to make, or allow to become, straight; to loosen; as, to unbend a bow. He spent the afternoon shaping a swagger stick from the branch of jarrah and talking with Miss La Rue, who had sufficiently unbent toward him to… … Wiktionary
unbend — UK [ʌnˈbend] / US verb [intransitive] Word forms unbend : present tense I/you/we/they unbend he/she/it unbends present participle unbending past tense unbent UK [ʌnˈbent] / US past participle unbent to become more relaxed and less strict or… … English dictionary
unbend — verb (unbent; bending) Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. to free from flexure ; make or allow to become straight < unbend a bow > 2. to cause (as the mind) to relax 3. a. to unfasten (as a sail) from a spar or stay b … New Collegiate Dictionary
unbend — unbendable, adj. /un bend /, v., unbent or (Archaic) unbended, unbending. v.t. 1. to straighten from a bent form or position. 2. to release from the strain of formality, intense effort, etc.; relax: to unbend one s mind. 3. to release from… … Universalium
unbend — verb 1 (I, T) to become straight or make something straight 2 (I) to relax and start behaving in a less formal way: She d be a lot more likeable if she d unbend a little … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
unbend — v. (past and past part. unbent) 1 tr. & intr. change from a bent position; straighten. 2 intr. relax from strain or severity; become affable (likes to unbend with a glass of beer). 3 tr. Naut. a unfasten (sails) from yards and stays. b cast (a… … Useful english dictionary
