unbending Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb straighten up or out; make straight
    straighten; unbend.
  2. verb unfasten, as a sail, from a spar or a stay
    unbend.
  3. verb free from flexure
    unbend.
    • unbend a bow
  4. verb make less taut
    unbend; relax.
    • relax the tension on the rope
  5. verb become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
    unwind; unbend; relax; decompress; slow down; loosen up.
    • He relaxed in the hot tub
    • Let's all relax after a hard day's work
  6. verb release from mental strain, tension, or formality
    unbend.
    • unbend the mind from absorbing too much information
  7. adjective satellite incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances
    inflexible; rigid.
    • a rigid disciplinarian
    • an inflexible law
    • an unbending will to dominate

WordNet

Un*bend"ing adjective
Etymology
In senses 1, 2, and 3, pref. un- not + bending; in sense 4, properly p. pr. unbend.
Definitions
  1. Not bending; not suffering flexure; not yielding to pressure; stiff; -- applied to material things.
    Flies o'er unbending corn, and skims along the main. Pope.
  2. Unyielding in will; not subject to persuasion or influence; inflexible; resolute; -- applied to persons.
  3. Unyielding in nature; unchangeable; fixed; -- applied to abstract ideas; as, unbending truths.
  4. Devoted to relaxation or amusement. R.
    It may entertain your lordships at an unbending hour. Rowe.
    -- Un*bend"ing*ly, adv. -- Un*bend"ing*ness, n.

Webster 1913