Bend

When it starts in the upper sinister and goes down to dexter it is called a bend sinister. This is sometimes said to be a mark of illegitimacy, though it is in fact no such thing. A baton sinister is sometimes used for that purpose. By a confusion with the French name barre for a bend, this may also be heard as "bar sinister", presumably because that sounds like bastard, but in English heraldry that term is nonsense, a bar being a horizontal band right across the shield, which can therefore be neither dexter nor sinister.

A field divided in half by a diagonal line is described as 'per bend' or 'party per bend'.

Smaller charges objects described as being bendwise are actually pointing diagonally in the direction of the bend, as for example the spear in Shakespeare's arms. This is in contrast to a group of objects described as in bend, which means they are individually in their normal orientation but strung out diagonally.

Bend (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bended or Bent (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bending.] [AS. bendan to bend, fr. bend a band, bond, fr. bindan to bind. See Bind, v. t., and cf. 3d & 4th Bend.]

1.

To strain or move out of a straight line; to crook by straining; to make crooked; to curve; to make ready for use by drawing into a curve; as, to bend a bow; to bend the knee.

2.

To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline.

Milton.

Towards Coventry bend we our course. Shak.

Bending her eyes . . . upon her parent. Sir W. Scott.

3.

To apply closely or with interest; to direct.

To bend his mind to any public business. Temple.

But when to mischief mortals bend their will. Pope.

4.

To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue.

Shak.

5. Naut.

To fasten, as one rope to another, or as a sail to its yard or stay; or as a cable to the ring of an anchor.

Totten.

To bend the brow, to knit the brow, as in deep thought or in anger; to scowl; to frown.

Camden.

Syn. -- To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield.

© Webster 1913.

Bend, v. i.

1.

To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook or be curving; to bow.

The green earth's end Where the bowed welkin slow doth bend. Milton.

2.

To jut over; to overhang.

There is a cliff, whose high and bending head Looks fearfully in the confined deep. Shak.

3.

To be inclined; to be directed.

To whom our vows and wished bend. Milton.

4.

To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.

While each to his great Father bends. Coleridge.

© Webster 1913.

Bend, n. [See Bend, v. t., and cf. Bent, n.]

1.

A turn or deflection from a straight line or from the proper direction or normal position; a curve; a crook; as, a slight bend of the body; a bend in a road.

2.

Turn; purpose; inclination; ends.

Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend. Fletcher.

3. Naut.

A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor, spar, or post.

Totten.

4. Leather Trade

The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See Butt.

5. Mining

Hard, indurated clay; bind.

Bends of a ship, the thickest and strongest planks in her sides, more generally called wales. They have the beams, knees, and foothooks bolted to them. Also, the frames or ribs that form the ship's body from the keel to the top of the sides; as, the midship bend.

© Webster 1913.