Web 2.0 → Homepage → tend

tend

Tend Tend, v. t. [See Tender to offer.] (O. Eng. Law) To make a tender of; to offer or tender. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

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 after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds tend their flocks. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their earthly charge. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

There s not a sparrow or a wren, There s not a blade of autumn grain, Which the four seasons do not tend And tides of life and increase lend. --Emerson. [1913 Webster]

2. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to. [1913 Webster]

Being to descend A ladder much in height, I did not tend My way well down. --Chapman. [1913 Webster]

{To tend a vessel} (Naut.), to manage an anchored vessel when the tide turns, so that in swinging she shall not entangle the cable. [1913 Webster]

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.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

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]