to unbend a bow

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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 — 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 — 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 — (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 — 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 — un•bend [[t]ʌnˈbɛnd[/t]] v. bent, bend•ing 1) to straighten from a bent form or position 2) to ease from the strain of formality, intense effort, etc.; relax 3) to release from tension, as a bow 4) Naut. a) naut. to loose or untie, as a sail or… …   From formal English to slang

• unbend — [c]/ʌnˈbɛnd / (say un bend) verb (unbent or unbended, unbending) –verb (t) 1. to release from the strain of effort or close application; relax by laying aside formality. 2. to release from tension, as a bow. 3. to straighten from a bent form or… …  

• Unbending — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Unbent — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• un|bend — «uhn BEHND», verb, bent or bend|ed, bend|ing. –v.t. 1. to remove the curves, bends, or wrinkles from; straighten: »a wire hard to unbend, to unbend the fingers. 2. Figurative. to rele …   Useful english dictionary