(Irregular preterit, past participle: bent).
1. To cause to assume a crooked or angular form; SYN. deform, twist.
2. To change direction.
3. To form a curve; SYN. flex.

1. To bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head; SYN. bow down.
2. To bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting.
3. To play on a string instrument.

To bend or cause to bend; SYN. curve.

Tto have or take a turn, change, or deviation from a straight line or plane surface without sharp breaks or angularity
1. To cause to curve
2. To throw a curveball to (a batter)
3. To grade (as an examination) on a curve

(Homonym: flecks)
To contract.

1. To change the form of a word in accordance as required by the grammatical rules of the language.
2. Said of one's speech: to vary the pitch of one's voice; to modulate.

ETYM Latin flexura.
A bending or turning aside; deflection.