v. [f. L. flex- ppl. stem of flectĕre to bend.] trans. To bend. Now only in scientific use, esp. with reference to the bending of a joint or limb by the action of the flexor muscles (opposed to EXTEND), and Geol. with reference to strata.
a. 1521. Helyas, in Thoms, Prose Rom. (1828), III. 13. With his knees flexed he prostened him and did him honour and reverence in saluinge him.
1560. Rolland, The Court of Venus, II. 943. He said (Madame) richt fair scho hes me flext.
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, III. 20 b. This worme is here figured with the tayle flexed vnder his chinne, and is called Dryimus.
1834. H. M’Murtrie, Cuvier’s The Animal Kingdom, 357. The tarsi at most can only be flexed on the tibiæ.
1845. Todd & Bowman, Phys. Anat., I. 169. Even a single muscle, the rectus femoris, flexes the thigh, and by the same action extends the leg.
1879. Dana, Man. Geol. (ed. 3), 155. The whole series has been upturned and flexed, broken and displaced, until little, if any, of it remains as it was when accumulated.
