(n): impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
(n): a circular segment of a curve
(n): the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
(n): movement that causes the formation of a curve
(n): a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something
(n): curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)
(n): one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object
(n): an angular or rounded shape made by folding
(n): a shape having one or more sharp angles
(n): a town in central Oregon at the eastern foot of the Cascade Range
(n): an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
(n): diagonal line traversing a shield from the upper right corner to the lower left
(n): (heraldry) any of several conventional figures used on shields
bend
(v): form a curve
(v): assume a different shape or form
(v): change direction
(v): change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
(v): cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
(v): assume a different shape or form
(v): bend one's back forward from the waist on down
(v): form a curve
(v): turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
(v): change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
(v): bend a joint
(v): move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
Bend it like Beckham...
My baby's got the bends
Fascinating. I always wondered how that phrase came to refer to a decompression sickness.
A type of decompression sickness, caused by gases (primarily nitrogen) coming out of solution in the body following a rapid decrease in pressure. Also known as caisson disease: a famous early case was Washington Roebling, who developed the bends during work on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Decompression sickness became known as "The Bends" because afflicted individuals characteristically arched their backs in a manner reminiscent of a then popular women's fashion called the Grecian Bend.