straightened

Straightened is the past tense and past participle of the verb straighten. It describes something that has been made straight or aligned from a previously curved, bent, or irregular state. In general usage, it can function as part of a verb phrase (The wire was straightened) or as an adjective (straightened hair, straightened teeth).

Common applications include physical objects: wires, pipes, rods, or metal parts that have been bent and then returned to a straight form, often to restore function or fit. In engineering and design, straightened features may be described when curves or irregularities are removed to simplify manufacturing or improve alignment.

In geometry and surveying, straightening can refer to converting a curved path into a straight line, or to align multiple segments along a straight axis. In cartography or road design, a route may be straightened to shorten travel time or address safety considerations.

In hair care, straightening refers to methods that reduce curl and wave, including chemical relaxing treatments and heat styling. In dentistry and orthodontics, straightened teeth result from braces or aligners that progressively move teeth into a straight arrangement.

Thus, straightened serves as a versatile descriptor across crafts, science, and personal care, denoting a state achieved by applying corrective or modifying forces to produce a straight configuration.