tend

Verb
Synonyms: be givenleaninclinerun

WordNet 3.0

Verb (3)

  1. have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined“She tends to be nervous before her lectures”“These dresses run small”“He inclined to corpulence”Synonyms: be givenleaninclinerun
  2. have care of or look after“She tends to the children”
  3. manage or run“tend a store”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]
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]

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