to bend the brow

Bend \Bend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bended} or {Bent}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Bending}.] [AS. bendan to bend, fr. bend a band,
   bond, fr. bindan to bind. See {Bind}, v. t., and cf. 3d & 4th
   {Bend}.]
   1. To strain or move out of a straight line; to crook by
      straining; to make crooked; to curve; to make ready for
      use by drawing into a curve; as, to bend a bow; to bend
      the knee.
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   2. To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline.
      "Bend thine ear to supplication." --Milton.
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            Towards Coventry bend we our course.  --Shak.
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            Bending her eyes . . . upon her parent. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
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   3. To apply closely or with interest; to direct.
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            To bend his mind to any public business. --Temple.
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            But when to mischief mortals bend their will.
                                                  --Pope.
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   4. To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue.
      "Except she bend her humor." --Shak.
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   5. (Naut.) To fasten, as one rope to another, or as a sail to
      its yard or stay; or as a cable to the ring of an anchor.
      --Totten.
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   {To bend the brow}, to knit the brow, as in deep thought or
      in anger; to scowl; to frown. --Camden.
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   Syn: To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield.
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Brow \Brow\ (brou), n. [OE. browe, bruwe, AS. br[=u]; akin to
   AS. br[=ae]w, bre['a]w, eyelid, OFries. br[=e], D. braauw,
   Icel. br[=a], br[=u]n, OHG. pr[=a]wa, G. braue, OSlav.
   br[u^]v[i^], Russ. brove, Ir. brai, Ir. & Gael. abhra, Armor.
   abrant, Gr. 'ofry`s, Skr. bhr[=u]. Cf. {Bray} a bank,
   {Bridge}.]
   1. The prominent ridge over the eye, with the hair that
      covers it, forming an arch above the orbit.
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            And his arched brow, pulled o'er his eyes,
            With solemn proof proclaims him wise. --Churchill.
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   2. The hair that covers the brow (ridge over the eyes); the
      eyebrow.
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            'T is not your inky brows, your brack silk hair.
                                                  --Shak.
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   3. The forehead; as, a feverish brow.
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            Beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow. --Shak.
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   4. The general air of the countenance.
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            To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow. --Milton.
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            He told them with a masterly brow.    --Milton.
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   5. The edge or projecting upper part of a steep place; as,
      the brow of a precipice; the brow of a hill.
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   {To bend the brow}, {To knit the brows}, to frown; to scowl.
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