in heraldry, one of the nine honourable ordinaries, containing a third part of the field when charged, and a fifth when plain. It is sometimes, like other ordinaries, indented, ingrailed, &c. and is either dexter or sinister.

Bend dexter is formed by two lines drawn from the upper part of the shield on the right, to the lower part of the left, diagonally. It is supposed to represent a shoulder-belt, or a scarf, when worn over the shoulder. See Plate LI. fig. 11.

Bend sinister is that which comes from the left side of the shield to the right: This the French heralds call a barre.

In Bend, is when any things, borne in arms, are placed obliquely from the upper corner to the opposite lower, as the bend lies.

Parti per Bend, Point in Bend, &c. See Parti and Point.