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.
Bend, n. [AS. bend. See Band, and cf. the preceding noun.] 1. A band. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. [OF. bende, bande, F. bande. See Band.] (Her.) 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.
Bend sinister (Her.), an honorable ordinary drawn from the sinister chief to the dexter base.
Bend"a*ble (&?;), a. Capable of being bent.
Bend"er (&?;), n. 1. One who, or that which, bends.