flexure

n. [ L. flexura. ] 1. The act of flexing or bending; a turning or curving; flexion; hence, obsequious bowing or bending. [ 1913 Webster ]

Will it give place to flexure and low bending? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A turn; a bend; a fold; a curve. [ 1913 Webster ]

Varying with the flexures of the valley through which it meandered. British Quart. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) The last joint, or bend, of the wing of a bird. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Astron.) The small distortion of an astronomical instrument caused by the weight of its parts; the amount to be added or substracted from the observed readings of the instrument to correct them for this distortion. [ 1913 Webster ]

The flexure of a curve (Math.), the bending of a curve towards or from a straight line. [ 1913 Webster ]