bent
bent /b'ent/
1
Bent is the past tense and past participle of bend.
2 [ADJ]
If an object is bent, it is damaged and no longer has its correct shape.
The trees were all bent and twisted from the wind.
3 [ADJ]
If a person is bent, their body has become curved because of old age or disease. (WRITTEN)
...a bent, frail, old man.
4 [ADJ] v-link ADJ on/upon n/-ing
If someone is bent on doing something, especially something harmful, they are determined to do it.
He's bent on suicide.
5 [N-SING] with supp, oft N for n
If you have a bent for something, you have a natural ability to do it or a natural interest in it.
His bent for natural history directed him towards his first job.
= flair
6 [N-SING] adj N
If someone is of a particular bent, they hold a particular set of beliefs.
...economists of a socialist bent.
= persuasion
7 [ADJ]
If you say that someone in a position of responsibility is bent, you mean that they are dishonest or do illegal things. (BRIT INFORMAL)
...this bent accountant.
8 [PHRASE] oft PHR with/in n
If someone is bent double, the top part of their body is leaning forward towards their legs, usually because they are in great pain or because they are laughing a lot. In American English, you can also say that someone is bent over double.
He left the courtroom on the first day bent double with stomach pain.
1
Bent is the past tense and past participle of bend.
2 [ADJ]
If an object is bent, it is damaged and no longer has its correct shape.
The trees were all bent and twisted from the wind.
3 [ADJ]
If a person is bent, their body has become curved because of old age or disease. (WRITTEN)
...a bent, frail, old man.
4 [ADJ] v-link ADJ on/upon n/-ing
If someone is bent on doing something, especially something harmful, they are determined to do it.
He's bent on suicide.
5 [N-SING] with supp, oft N for n
If you have a bent for something, you have a natural ability to do it or a natural interest in it.
His bent for natural history directed him towards his first job.
= flair
6 [N-SING] adj N
If someone is of a particular bent, they hold a particular set of beliefs.
...economists of a socialist bent.
= persuasion
7 [ADJ]
If you say that someone in a position of responsibility is bent, you mean that they are dishonest or do illegal things. (BRIT INFORMAL)
...this bent accountant.
8 [PHRASE] oft PHR with/in n
If someone is bent double, the top part of their body is leaning forward towards their legs, usually because they are in great pain or because they are laughing a lot. In American English, you can also say that someone is bent over double.
He left the courtroom on the first day bent double with stomach pain.