In some cases a thing is spoken of as _bent_ where the parts make an
angle; but oftener to _bend_ is understood to be to draw to or through a
curve; as, to _bend_ a bow. To _submit_ or _yield_ is to _bend_ the mind
humbly to another's wishes. To _incline_ or _influence_ is to _bend_
another's wishes toward our own; to _persuade_ is to draw them quite
over. To _warp_ is to _bend_ silently through the whole fiber, as a
board in the sun. To _crook_ is to _bend_ irregularly, as a _crooked_
stick. _Deflect_, _deviate_, and _diverge_ are said of any turning away;
_deviate_ commonly of a slight and gradual movement, _diverge_ of a more
sharp and decided one. To _bias_ is to cut across the texture, or
incline to one side; in figurative use always with an unfavorable
import. _Mold_ is a stronger work than _bend_; we may _bend_ by a
superior force that which still resists the constraint; as, a _bent_
bow; we _mold_ something plastic entirely to some desired form.

* * * * *

BENEVOLENCE.

Synonyms:

almsgiving, charity, kind-heartedness, munificence,
beneficence, generosity, kindliness, philanthropy,
benignity, good-will, kindness, sympathy,
bounty, humanity, liberality, unselfishness.

According to the etymology and original usage, _beneficence_ is the
doing well, _benevolence_ the wishing or willing well to others; but
_benevolence_ has come to include _beneficence_, and to displace it. We
should not now speak of _benevolence_ which did not help, unless where
there was no power to help; even then we should rather say _good-will_
or _sympathy_. _Charity_, which originally meant the purest love for God
and man (as in _1 Cor._ xiii), is now almost universally applied to some
form of _almsgiving_, and is much more limited in meaning than
_benevolence_. _Benignity_ suggests some occult power of blessing, such
as was formerly ascribed to the stars; we may say a good man has an air
of _benignity_. _Kindness_ and _tenderness_ are personal; _benevolence_
and _charity_ are general. _Kindness_ extends to all sentient beings,
whether men or animals, in prosperity or in distress. _Tenderness_
especially goes out toward the young, feeble, and needy, or even to the
dead. _Humanity_ is so much _kindness_ and _tenderness_ toward man or
beast as it would be inhuman not to have; we say of some act of care or
_kindness_, "common _humanity_ requires it." _Gen