Bend, n.
 1. A turn or deflection from a straight line or from the proper direction or normal position; a curve; a crook; as, a slight bend of the body; a bend in a road.
 2. Turn; purpose; inclination; ends. [Obs.]
    Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend.   --Fletcher.
 3. Naut. A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor, spar, or post.
 4. Leather Trade The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See Butt.
 5. Mining Hard, indurated clay; bind.
 6. pl. Med. same as caisson disease.  Usually referred to as the bends.
 Bends of a ship, the thickest and strongest planks in her sides, more generally called wales. They have the beams, knees, and foothooks bolted to them. Also, the frames or ribs that form the ship's body from the keel to the top of the sides; as, the midship bend.