UNBEND • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Unbend

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/ˌənbˈɛnd/ Listen

verb

Unbend v. t. (past & past part. unbent; pres. part. unbending)

To free from flexure; to make, or allow to become, straight; to loosen; as, to unbend a bow.

A remit from a strain or from exertion; to set at ease for a time; to relax; as, to unbend the mind from study or care. "You do unbend your noble strength."

(Naut.)

(a)

To unfasten, as sails, from the spars or stays to which they are attached for use.

(b)

To cast loose or untie, as a rope.

Unbend v. i. (past & past part. unbent; pres. part. unbending)

To cease to be bent; to become straight or relaxed.

To relax in exertion, attention, severity, or the like; hence, to indulge in mirth or amusement.

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Etymology of 'Unbend'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Unbend" Quotes from Famous Books

... reciting the Westminster catechism," Clarence observed blandly. "I never waste my gems of conversation on deaf ears. Come, Joy of my life, unbend a little. I don't mean a bit of harm in the world. All I want is a kind word or two and the ...

— The Wishing-Ring Man • Margaret Widdemer

... who eat too much, and afterwards use violent exercises; but he approved of eating till nature be satisfied, and of a moderate exercise after it, believing that method to be an advantage to health, and proper to unbend and divert the mind. In his clothes he was neither nice nor costly; and what I say of his clothes ought likewise to be understood of his whole way of living. Never any of his friends became covetous in his conversation, and he reclaimed them from that sordid ...

— The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates • Xenophon

... superior when his grandmother brought them together after the meeting was over. If Helen noticed the superiority, she was certainly not over-awed by it, for she was so simple and natural and pleasant that he was obliged to unbend and be natural too. In fact, at their third meeting he himself spoke of the interview in the lumber office and again expressed his thanks for warning him of his ...

— The Portygee • Joseph Crosby Lincoln

... This was a serious matter and laid everyone present under the most formal obligations to commit no breach of divine etiquette; it even forbade the most innocent remarks and expressions of emotion. But when the performers, wearied of the strait-jacket, determined to unbend and indulge in social amenities, to lounge, gossip, and sing informal songs, to quaff a social bowl of awa, or to indulge in an informal dance, they secured the opportunity for this interlude, ...

— Unwritten Literature of Hawaii - The Sacred Songs of the Hula • Nathaniel Bright Emerson

... the speaking trumpet, and hailing the poor wretches at the mast-head, told them that he was now captain, and that they must in future obey his commands. He then ordered them to unbend the sails, they readily complied; but when he ordered them to come down they hesitated, but he enforced prompt obedience by threatening to cut away the masts. When they came down he received them with much civility, ...

— A Narrative of a Nine Months' Residence in New Zealand in 1827 • Augustus Earle

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