Tend

Tend
Tend Tend, v. i. [F. tendre, L. tendere, tensum and tentum, to stretch, extend, direct one's course, tend; akin to Gr. ? to stretch, Skr. tan. See {Thin}, and cf. {Tend} to attend, {Contend}, {Intense}, {Ostensible}, {Portent}, {Tempt}, {Tender} to offer, {Tense}, a.] 1. To move in a certain direction; -- usually with to or towards. [1913 Webster]

Two gentlemen tending towards that sight. --Sir H. Wotton. [1913 Webster]

Thus will this latter, as the former world, Still tend from bad to worse. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

The clouds above me to the white Alps tend. --Byron. [1913 Webster]

2. To be directed, as to any end, object, or purpose; to aim; to have or give a leaning; to exert activity or influence; to serve as a means; to contribute; as, our petitions, if granted, might tend to our destruction. [1913 Webster]

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. --Prov. xxi. 5. [1913 Webster]

The laws of our religion tend to the universal happiness of mankind. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • tend — tend …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • tend — [ tend ] verb *** 1. ) intransitive to usually do a particular thing: tend to do something: He tends to exaggerate. The gym tends to get very busy at around six o clock. We tend to take technology for granted nowadays. These arguments tend merely …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Tend — Tend, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Tending}.] [Aphetic form of attend. See {Attend}, {Tend} to move, and cf. {Tender} one that tends or attends.] 1. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tend — W1S1 [tend] v [Sense: 1, 3, 5; Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: tendre to stretch , from Latin tendere] [Sense: 2, 4; Date: 1100 1200; Origin: attend] 1.) tend to do sth if something tends to happen, it happens often and is likely to happen …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tend — tend1 [tend] vt. [ME tenden, aphetic < attenden: see ATTEND] 1. to take care of; minister to; watch over; look after; attend to [to tend plants or animals, to tend the sick] 2. to be in charge of or at work at; manage or operate [to tend a… …   English World dictionary

  • tend — /tend/ verb 1 tend to do sth to often do a particular thing, especially something that is bad or annoying, and to be likely to do it again: Sally tends to interfere in other people s business. | The car does tend to overheat. 2 tend towards sth… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • tend — tend, attend, mind, watch are comparable when they mean to take charge of or look after someone or something especially as a duty or in return for remuneration. Tend usually retains some notion of an earlier sense in which it means to pay… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • tend*/*/*/ — [tend] verb 1) [I] to usually do a particular thing He tends to exaggerate.[/ex] I tend not to go out so much in the winter.[/ex] 2) [I/T] to take care of someone or something Eddie kept himself busy tending the garden.[/ex] Doctors were tending… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • Tend — Tend, v. i. 1. To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend; with on or upon. [1913 Webster] Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tend upon my father? Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. [F. attendre.] To await; to expect. [Obs.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tend — Ⅰ. tend [1] ► VERB 1) frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic. 2) go or move in a particular direction. ORIGIN Latin tendere stretch, tend . Ⅱ. tend [2] ► …   English terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”