(a) To draw back the string of (a bow); also, to bend (a bow) and attach the string; (b) in proverbial expressions: that ever this bowe was bent, that this matter was ever begun; thei benten never his bowe, they have had no experience with him (Love); were nou the bowe bent in swich maner as it was first, if the situation were such as it was in the beginning; (c) to prepare (a siege engine) for shooting or casting; to bend the bow of (an arbalest), draw down the beam of (a mangonel); also, to aim or shoot; (d) to draw (a sword); ~ up, to pull up (a drawbridge); (e) to spread out or extend (sth.); to stretch (sth. over sth. else), fasten upon; ~ on the cross (tre), to crucify; to pitch (a tent), spread (a net), set (a sail); refl. to stretch oneself out; (f) ?to stretch (sth.) tight; refl. to tense oneself.

(a) To curve or turn (sth.), bend, twist; flex (a limb); bente mone, a quarter moon; to become bent, curve, be flexible; of a dragon: to coil; of a river or coast: to wind; (b) to arch or raise (one's brows); p. ppl. bent, of eyebrows: arched; (c) to reflect (light, an image).

(a) To have a tendency (to do sth.), be inclined (to sth.); impel (sb. to do sth.), turn (the heart away from sth.), change (someone's mind); (b) ben bent, to be resolved (to do sth.); be determined to go (somewhere), be bound (for a place).

(a) To stoop, bow; refl. to bow; bow to (sb.), bend (the knees), bow (the head); (b) to submit (to sth.), yield; (c) to bring down (sth.), overcome, destroy.

(a) To turn, go, hasten; refl. turn (around); ~ bones, exert oneself; ~ eres, to turn (one's) ears, listen; (b) to bring (sth.) about, cause, do.

bendbowe, archer.