Bend vs. Curve — What's the Difference?

To cause to assume a curved or angular shape

In mathematics, a curve (also called a curved line in older texts) is an object similar to a line, but that does not have to be straight. Intuitively, a curve may be thought of as the trace left by a moving point.

To bring (a bow, for example) into a state of tension by drawing on a string or line.

A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.

To force to assume a different direction or shape, according to one's own purpose

A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.

To misrepresent; distort

Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.

To relax or make an exception to

A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course.

To cause to swerve from a straight line; deflect

A line representing data on a graph.

To render submissive; subdue

A trend derived from or as if from such a graph

To apply (the mind) closely

A graphic representation showing the relative performance of individuals as measured against each other, used especially as a method of grading students in which the assignment of grades is based on predetermined proportions of students.

(Nautical) To fasten

The graph of a function on a coordinate plane.

To deviate from a straight line or position

The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions.

To assume a curved, crooked, or angular form or direction

The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables.

To incline the body; stoop.

(Baseball) A curve ball.

To make a concession; yield.

(Slang) Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive.

To apply oneself closely; concentrate

To move in or take the shape of a curve

The act or fact of bending.

To cause to curve.

The state of being bent.

(Baseball) To pitch (a ball) with a curve.

Something bent

To grade (students, for example) on a curve.

A knot that joins a rope to a rope or another object.

(obsolete) Bent without angles; crooked; curved. Category:en:Curves

Bends The thick planks in a ship's side; wales.

A gentle bend, such as in a road.

Bends (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Decompression sickness. Used with the.

A simple figure containing no straight portions and no angles; a curved line.

A band passing from the upper dexter corner of an escutcheon to the lower sinister corner.

A grading system based on the scale of performance of a group used to normalize a right-skewed grade distribution (with more lower scores) into a bell curve, so that more can receive higher grades, regardless of their actual knowledge of the subject.

(transitive) To cause (something) to change its shape into a curve, by physical force, chemical action, or any other means.

(analytic geometry) A continuous map from a one-dimensional space to a multidimensional space.

(intransitive) To become curved.

(geometry) A one-dimensional figure of non-zero length; the graph of a continuous map from a one-dimensional space.

(transitive) To cause to change direction.

(algebraic geometry) An algebraic curve; a polynomial relation of the planar coordinates.

(intransitive) To change direction.

(topology) A one-dimensional continuum.

(intransitive) To be inclined; to direct itself.

The attractive shape of a woman's body.

To stoop.

(transitive) To bend; to crook.

(intransitive) To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.

(transitive) To cause to swerve from a straight course.

(transitive) To force to submit.

(intransitive) To bend or turn gradually from a given direction.

(intransitive) To submit.

(transitive) To grade on a curve (bell curve of a normal distribution).

(transitive) To apply to a task or purpose.

(transitive) (slang) To reject, to turn down romantic advances.

(intransitive) To apply oneself to a task or purpose.

Bent without angles; crooked; curved; as, a curve line; a curve surface.

(transitive) To adapt or interpret to for a purpose or beneficiary.

A bending without angles; that which is bent; a flexure; as, a curve in a railway or canal.

To tie, as in securing a line to a cleat; to shackle a chain to an anchor; make fast.

A line described according to some low, and having no finite portion of it a straight line.

To smoothly change the pitch of a note.

To bend; to crook; as, to curve a line; to curve a pipe; to cause to swerve from a straight course; as, to curve a ball in pitching it.

To swing the body when rowing.

To bend or turn gradually from a given direction; as, the road curves to the right.

A curve.

The trace of a point whose direction of motion changes

Any of the various knots which join the ends of two lines.

A line on a graph representing data

A severe condition caused by excessively quick decompression, causing bubbles of nitrogen to form in the blood; decompression sickness.

A baseball thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approach the batter

(heraldry) One of the honourable ordinaries formed by two diagonal lines drawn from the dexter chief to the sinister base; it generally occupies a fifth part of the shield if uncharged, but if charged one third.

The property possessed by the curving of a line or surface

(obsolete) Turn; purpose; inclination; ends.

Curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)

In the leather trade, the best quality of sole leather; a butt; sometimes, half a butt cut lengthwise.

Turn sharply; change direction abruptly;

(mining) Hard, indurated clay; bind.

Extend in curves and turns;

The thickest and strongest planks in a ship's sides, more generally called wales, which have the beams, knees, and futtocks bolted to them.

Form an arch or curve;

The frames or ribs that form the ship's body from the keel to the top of the sides.

Bend or cause to bend;

(music) A glissando, or glide between one pitch and another.

Form a curl, curve, or kink;

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.

To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline.

To apply closely or with interest; to direct.

To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue.

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.

To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook or be curving; to bow.

To jut over; to overhang.

To be inclined; to be directed.

To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.

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.

Turn; purpose; inclination; ends.

A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to an anchor, spar, or post.

The best quality of sole leather; a butt. See Butt.

Hard, indurated clay; bind.

Same as caisson disease. Usually referred to as the bends.

A band.

One of the honorable ordinaries, containing a third or a fifth part of the field. It crosses the field diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base.

A circular segment of a curve;

Movement that causes the formation of a curve

Curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)

An angular or rounded shape made by folding;

A town in central Oregon at the eastern foot of the Cascade Range

Diagonal line traversing a shield from the upper right corner to the lower left

Form a curve;

Change direction;

Cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form;

Bend one's back forward from the waist on down;

Turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of interest

Bend a joint;