[ adj ] incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances <adj.all> a rigid disciplinarianan inflexible law an unbending will to dominate
Unbend \Un*bend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Unbent}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Unbending}.] [1st pref. un- + bend.] 1. To free from flexure; to make, or allow to become, straight; to loosen; as, to unbend a bow.
2. A remit from a strain or from exertion; to set at ease for a time; to relax; as, to unbend the mind from study or care.
You do unbend your noble strength. --Shak.
3. (Naut.) (a) To unfasten, as sails, from the spars or stays to which they are attached for use. (b) To cast loose or untie, as a rope.
Unbending \Un*bend"ing\, a. [In senses 1, 2, and 3, pref. un- not + bending; in sense 4, properly p. pr. unbend.] 1. Not bending; not suffering flexure; not yielding to pressure; stiff; -- applied to material things.
Flies o'er unbending corn, and skims along the main. --Pope.
2. Unyielding in will; not subject to persuasion or influence; inflexible; resolute; -- applied to persons.
3. Unyielding in nature; unchangeable; fixed; -- applied to abstract ideas; as, unbending truths.
4. Devoted to relaxation or amusement. [R.]
It may entertain your lordships at an unbending hour. --Rowe. ※ -- {Un*bend"ing*ly}, adv. -- {Un*bend"ing*ness}, n.
However, he is equally unbending about human rights.
Congressional leaders now pretend to worry about "the deficit," but we recall no such concern when taxes were rising and there was no unbending presidential pressure to cut spending.
For all his admirable tempi, Blomstedt's bar-to-bar beat was severely unbending.