E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bent.
Inclination; talent for something. Out of my bent, not in my way, not in the range of my talent. Bent on it, inclined to it. As a thing bent is inclined, so a bent is an inclination or bias. Genius or talent is a bent or bias.
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“Whatever is done best, is done from the natural bent and disposition of the mind.”—Hazlitt: Table Talk.
They fool me to the top of my bent, i.e. as far as the bow can be bent without snapping. (Hamlet, iii. 2.) (See BEND.)
