"mental inclination," 1570s, probably from earlier literal sense "condition of being deflected or turned" (1530s), from bent (adj.) "not straight" (q.v.).
"stiff grass," Old English beonet, from West Germanic *binut- "rush, marsh grass" (cognates: Old Saxon binet, Old High German binuz, German Binse "rush, reed"), which is of unknown origin. An obsolete word, but surviving in place names (such as Bentley, from Old English Beonet-leah; Bentham).
The verdure of the plain lies buried deep
Beneath the dazzling deluge; and the bents,
And coarser grass, upspearing o'er the rest,
Of late unsightly and unseen, now shine
Conspicuous, and, in bright apparel clad
And fledg'd with icy feathers, nod superb.
[Cowper, "The Winter-Morning Walk," from "The Task"]
"not straight," late 14c. (earlier ibent, c. 1300, from past participle of bend (v.). Meaning "turned or inclined in some direction" is from 1530s, probably as a translation of Latin inclinatio. Meaning "directed in a course" is from 1690s. Figurative phrase bent out of shape "extremely upset" is 1960s U.S. Air Force and college student slang.
双语例句
1. Then she bent over and gave him an eyeful of her tattoos.
接着她弯下身子，让他好好看清楚她的文身。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Everyone in the room was bent over her desk.
房间里的每一个人都弯腰围在她的办公室桌前。
来自柯林斯例句
3. She was bent over the sink washing the dishes.
她俯在水槽边洗盘子。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The messenger bent and scratched at his knee where the strapping chafed.
送信人弯下腰来，挠着膝部被绑腿磨红的地方。
来自柯林斯例句
5. The rod bent double, the reel shrieked and ratcheted.
