Bend
One of the Ordinaries created by two lines, drawn from the dexter chief point to the sinister base point of the shield. It generally occupies one-fifth of the field; but formerly it was one-fifth only when plain, and one-third when charged. The diminutives of the bend are the bendlet, which is half its width and the cotise, which is one-fourth.
It should be noted that, although the bend is borne both dexter and sinister, the word bend alone is always considered to imply the former. When borne sinister it should then be expressly stated a bend sinister when it is regarded an ordinary in its own right.
Bendys or Bende is the ancient orthography for bends or bend.
Various emblazonments of the Bend:
