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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bend, v. Also: P.t. bendit, -ed, bend, bent. P.p. bendit, -yt, bend, bent (ybent). [ME. bend(e, benden, OE. bendan.]

1. tr. To draw (a bow, etc.) in order to shoot. Also transf. 1375 Barb. xvii. 682; Ib. 690.
The engynour than deliuerly Gert bend the gyne a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 462.
Thai bend bowis of bras braithly within a1500 Henr. Fab. 757.
Ane bow he bent, ane flane … He haillit to the heid c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 110.
Cupide … wyth bow in hand ybent Id. xlii. 67.
Than Bissines the grit gyn bend 1513 Doug. ix. x. 77.
Hys bow with horsis sennonys bend hes he c1552 Lynd. Mon. 72.
Than God sall slak his bow, quhilk yit is bent 1560 Rolland Seven S. Prol. 130.
I promeist hir … [That] with toun termes my bow it suld be bendit 1572 Sat. P. xxxii. 123.
Lat neuer thair micht … with hand ay bend, Haue strenth or power thame for to hurt or wreik

b. To cock, or make ready for firing. 1584 Reg. Privy C. III. 710.
The said Johne … bendit ane pistolett to that effect and presentit the samin to him 1585 Elgin Rec. I. 177.
The saidis persones … drew swordis and bendit pistollis c1650 Spalding I. 44.
James Grant … bendis ane hagbut and schootis him throw both thies

c. To aim against; to direct or incline unto. a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxiv. 14.
Vnto my muse ȝour earis doe bend c1650 Spalding I. 80.
Thair intentioun is onlie bendit aganis the Kingis majestie

2. To pull or draw tight; to apply with force or vigour. c1460 Bk. Gud Counsale 10.
Sall we the menstrale wite? Ye. bot he bend and preue tham [sc. the strings] with a wrast c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxii. 73.
Quhen he was bendit so on breid, Quhill all his vanys brist Id. lxxiii. 13.
Bend up thy saill 1513 Doug. iii. vi. 60.
ȝour aris fyrst into the Sycil see Bedyit weill and bendit oft mon be 1562-3 Winȝet I. 11/33.
We beseik thy … Maiestie … to bend up thy mynd maist ernestlie 1567 Sat. P. v. 7.
Bauldlie togidder all to bend ȝow, That ȝe do nouther swerue nor swage 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 48.
He bendit all his wittis to the said erllis eversioun

b. To bring into a state of exaltation or excitement. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 7.
Howbeit with bost thar breistis wer als bendit As Lucifer a1578 Pitsc. (1814) I. 79.
Nothing effeired of this disadvantage, bot rather bendit up, and kindled thairat in greater ire

c. To bend up, to begin to play. 1667 Highland P. II. 43.
They ran to M‘Gorrie's leagwer causing ther pyper bend up a great pipe

3. To yoke or harness (a cart). 1513 Doug. xii. v. 169.
Sum brydillys stedis, and cartis vp dyd bend

4. intr. To leap, spring, bound. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 146.
With ane bolt on thame he bendit a1568 Scott xxvii. 36.
I byd on beich, To lat hir in the brydill bend 1567 G. Ball. 109.
Quhat gart ȝow … ȝe hillis lyke lambis loup and bend? a1578 Pitsc. II. 81/23.
To that taikin he bend into the fyre ane fute of height c1590 J. Stewart 77/149.
The litile lambis bendit on the greine 1596 Dalr. II. 43/7.
Sche bendis to the dur, and drawis the barr Ib. 207/11.
[Thai] bend fra thair horse to fute the feild