Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Tend?

\Tend\, v. t. [See {Tender} to offer.] (O. Eng. Law) To make a tender of; to offer or tender. [Obs.]
\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. And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their earthly charge. --Milton. 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. 2. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to. Being to descend A ladder much in height, I did not tend My way well down. --Chapman. {To tend a vessel} (Naut.), to manage an anchored vessel when the tide turns, so that in swinging she shall not entangle the cable.
\Tend\, v. i. 1. To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend; -- with on or upon. Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tend upon my father? --Shak. 2. [F. attendre.] To await; to expect. [Obs.] --Shak.
\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. Two gentlemen tending towards that sight. --Sir H. Wotton. Thus will this latter, as the former world, Still tend from bad to worse. --Milton. The clouds above me to the white Alps tend. --Byron. 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. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. --Prov. xxi. 5. The laws of our religion tend to the universal happiness of mankind. --Tillotson.