unbend
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un·bend
(ŭn-bĕnd′)v. un·bent (-bĕnt′), un·bend·ing, un·bends
v.tr.
1. To release from mental tension, strain, or formality; relax.
2. To release (a bow, for example) from flexure or tension.
3. Nautical To untie or loosen (a rope or sail).
4. To straighten (something crooked or bent): unbend a paper clip.
v.intr.
1. To become less tense; relax.
2. To become less strict.
3. To become straight.
un·bend′a·ble adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
unbend
(ʌnˈbɛnd)vb, -bends, -bending or -bent
1. to release or be released from the restraints of formality and ceremony
2. informal to relax (the mind) or (of the mind) to become relaxed
3. to become or be made straightened out from an originally bent shape or position
4. (Nautical Terms) (tr) nautical
a. to remove (a sail) from a stay, mast, yard, etc
b. to untie (a rope, etc) or cast (a cable) loose
unˈbendable adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•bend
(ʌnˈbɛnd)v. -bent, -bend•ing. v.t.
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.
v.i. a. to loose or untie, as a sail or rope.
b. to unfasten from spars or stays, as sails.
5. to act in an easy, genial manner.
6. to become unbent; straighten.
[1200–50]
un•bend′a•ble, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
unbend
Past participle: unbent
Gerund: unbending
Imperative |
---|
unbend |
unbend |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Verb | 1. | unbend - straighten up or out; make straight change posture - undergo a change in bodily posture |
2. | unbend - unfasten, as a sail, from a spar or a stay unfasten - cause to become undone; "unfasten your belt" | |
3. | unbend - free from flexure; "unbend a bow" straighten, straighten out - make straight | |
4. | unbend - make less taut; "relax the tension on the rope" unbrace - remove from tension | |
5. | unbend - become less tense, rest, or take one's ease; "He relaxed in the hot tub"; "Let's all relax after a hard day's work" vege out, vegetate - engage in passive relaxation; "After a hard day's work, I vegetate in front of the television" sit back, take it easy - settle into a comfortable sitting position change state, turn - undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election" | |
6. | unbend - release from mental strain, tension, or formality; "unbend the mind from absorbing too much information" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
unbend
verb
1. relax, loosen up, lighten up (slang), unwind, chill out (slang, chiefly U.S.), let up, take it easy, slacken, cool it (slang), unbutton (informal), ease up, let it all hang out (slang), let yourself go, become informal In her dying days, the old Queen unbent a little.
2. straighten, unwind, uncoil, uncurl Joy unbent slowly and eased her spine.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
unbend
verbTo take repose by ceasing work or other effort for an interval of time:
Idioms: lead the life of Riley, take it easy.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
unbend
pret, ptp <unbent>vt (= straighten) metal etc → gerade biegen; arms → strecken; unbend your body → richten Sie sich auf; (lying down) → legen Sie sich ausgestreckt hin
vi (person, = relax) → aus sich herausgehen; (= straighten body) → sich aufrichten, sich gerade hinlegen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
unbend
[ʌnˈbɛnd] (unbent (pt, pp)) [ˌʌnˈbɛnt]1. vt (pipe, wire) → raddrizzare
2. vi (fig) (person) → distendersi, rilassarsi
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995