mendn.
/mɛnd/, U.S. /mɛnd/ I. Senses relating to recompense, reparation, etc. (See amends n. 3 – 4.)† 2. In plural (usually with singular agreement). Means of obtaining restoration or reparation; remedy. Esp. in to have the mends in one's own hands. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).† 3. Scottish. into (also to) the mends: in addition, for good measure. Obsolete.
1. Recompense, reparation; penance.† a. In singular. for (also to) a person's mend: for his or her reparation or restoration (esp. from sin). to mend: as a recompense. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham Poems (1902) 158 To mannes mende.
c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham Poems (1902) 83 (MED) He þoled þane deþ, Leuedy, for oure mende.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 6723 (MED) If he sla animans thain, Thritti schiling o siluer again Sal man giue þe lord to mend.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 302 To mak mende & mak alle stable.
1646 in J. Raine Depos. Castle of York (1861) 9 (note) And pray to God for mend.
b. In plural (usually with singular agreement). Formerly also: †something given as compensation (obsolete). Now British regional (chiefly Scottish).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > [noun]
boot971
edbotec1315
amendmentc1325
amendsc1330
assethe1340
enoughbote1340
satisfaction1340
redress1384
menda1400
redemptiona1400
curation?c1400
amends making?a1425
mends-makinga1425
recompensec1425
expiation1482
agreement1526
contentation1535
sythmentc1540
syth1567
atonement-making1587
atonement1611
piation1623
atone1868
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 23152 Vnnethes sal man find an..þat wel will scriue þam o þis sake, Ne for na consail mendes mak.
c1475 (c1399) Mum & Sothsegger (Cambr. Ll.4.14) (1936) ii. 34 (MED) Men shulde drede To axe ony mendis for her mys-dedis.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 72 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 97 Bot quha sall mak me ane mendis [1568 Bannatyne mek me amendis] of hir worth a myte?
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 19 He..promissit that he suld haue ane suffiecent mense of the quene.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. i. sig. Nv All wrongs haue mendes.
?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda sig. C4v Why then the mends is made, and we still friends.
1670 S. Wilson Lassels's Voy. Italy (new ed.) ii. 268 This country made vs a full mends for all the ill way we had had before.
a1733 Shetland Acts in Proc. Soc. Antiquaries Scotl. (1892) 26 200 That no mends be made for corn eaten within cornyards.
a1779 D. Graham Coll. Writings (1883) II. 21 That's better mense for a fault, than a' your mortifying o' your members.
1816 W. Scott Black Dwarf ix*, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. I. 193 Westburnflat hasna the means..to make up our loss; there's nae mends to be got out o' him, but what ye take out o' his banes.
1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xviii Things hedna maybe gane far i' the wye o' men's.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. at Mends I know'd you'd zee how I should ha mends like, so zoon's you know'd o' it.
1962 Sc. National Dict. (at cited word) To be (guid) mends upo', to serve someone right;..to get, hae or take (a) mends (up)on.., to get satisfaction from,..to get even with [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > [noun] > remedy
helpc1000
healinga1225
remedy?c1225
bote of beam1330
recurec1330
recoverera1375
remeida1413
redemption?a1439
botmenta1450
recurementc1450
presidy?a1475
mendsa1525
repair1612
relief1616
booty beam1642
beyond retrieve1658
beyond retrieval1697
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 29 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 95 Mendis and medicyne for mennis all neidis.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 666/1 If I pricke you with my daggar you have your mendes in your hande.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. i. 68 If she bee faire tis the better for her, and shee bee not, she has the mends in her owne hands. View more context for this quotation
a1625 J. Fletcher Wild-goose Chase (1652) ii. i. 15 If I be made an Ass, The mends are in mine own hands, or the Surgeons.
1655 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 1st Pt. 55 If any mischief befalls him, the mends is in his own hands.
1887 D. Donaldson Jamieson's Sc. Dict. Suppl. 164/2 Mends, Mendis, Mense,..ye hae the mense in your ain han'.
ΚΠ
1606 W. Birnie Blame of Kirk-buriall xix. sig. Fv In making all place alike lawfull for buriall laire, they cast in the Kirk as it were to the mends.
1636 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. 185 I will verily give my Lord Jesus a free discharge of all that I..laid to His charge, and beg Him pardon, to the mends.
1776 D. Herd Anc. & Mod. Sc. Songs (ed. 2) II. 155 Now gi'e me ane [kiss] into the mense.
1821 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 403 Fine ripe cherries, twal and ane to the mens.
II. Senses relating to amelioration or repairing. (See amends n. 5.)
4. Scottish and English regional (northern). In plural. Restoration, repair; improvement in health or behaviour; recovery, healing.
ΚΠ
1513 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1902) IV. 486 For ij c. rauchtouris..to haf on burd for thair mendis.
1624 Witch Trial in J. Maidment Misc. Abbotsford Club (1837) I. 137 The said Margaret Corstoun haueing contractit seiknes, dwyned be the space of foure monethis, and could get no mendis.
1867 E. Waugh Tattlin' Matty 23 Aw shaked my yed; an' aw wiped my ear.., but it made no mends.
1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. 333 ‘Is your wife no better?’ ‘Nae, Ah sees nae mends iv her.’ ‘He's been gannan a strange gate ower lang. It's te nae use leuking for mends.’
1892 M. C. F. Morris Yorks. Folk-talk 342 Ah doot there's neea mends for her.
1902 Æ. Binns in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1903) IV. 86/2 [Yorkshire] Ther's noa mends for him.
5. colloquial. on the mend: recovering from sickness; improving in health or condition.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > recovering [phrase]
in (also on the, upon) recovery1580
on the mend1802
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [adjective] > improving or growing better
improving1643
on the mend1802
bettering1876
1802 S. T. Coleridge Let. 19 Feb. (1956) II. 436 My health has been on the Mend, since you left town.
1897 Daily News 27 July 11/4 Home trade in finished linens is perhaps on the mend.
1919 ‘K. Mansfield’ Let. (1993) III. 25 The pain in my joints is—well its not outwardly better yet I feel it is. So it is evidently on the mend.
1951 E. Paul Springtime in Paris (U.K. ed.) v. 110 I was reminded that the graphs of women, men and nations can slant upward as well as dip downward, and France was on the mend.
1988 M. Seymour Ring of Conspirators i. 34 Soothed by Crane's constant assurances that he was on the mend, she set off..for a shopping expedition.
2006 P. Cuadros Home on Field xii. 137 Abuelita was on the mend when she insisted on cooking for them.
6. An act of mending, a repair; a repaired hole, etc., in a fabric.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > mending or repairing > [noun] > a mend or repair
repair1717
mending1802
mend1888
1888 Housewife 3 436/1 If the mend is dampened and pressed with a hot iron it is almost unnoticeable.
1900 Daily News 28 Nov. 10/2 Mrs. A. is reluctant to let her clothes be seen by Mrs. B., for fear that lady should notice the rents and mends.
1903 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Dec. 803/2 A mend in the sole [of a stocking].
1986 ‘L. Cody’ Under Contract xxxv. 140 The mend was barely visible. Anna could see the beautiful, tiny stitches if she looked closely.
Compounds
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > [noun]
boot971
edbotec1315
amendmentc1325
amendsc1330
assethe1340
enoughbote1340
satisfaction1340
redress1384
menda1400
redemptiona1400
curation?c1400
amends making?a1425
mends-makinga1425
recompensec1425
expiation1482
agreement1526
contentation1535
sythmentc1540
syth1567
atonement-making1587
atonement1611
piation1623
atone1868
a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) 28617 Schrift aw to be thrinfalde, With rewth in hert and schewin to preste And mendes making.
1531 W. Tyndale Answere Mores Dialoge f. cvi And as for mendesmakynge with worldely thinges, yt doo to thi brother whom thou hast offended.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
mendv.
/mɛnd/, U.S. /mɛnd/ I. With reference to defects.
1. † d. transitive. To adjust, set right; to snuff (a candle). Obsolete (Nautical in later use).† e. transitive. colloquial and English regional. To repair the garments of (a person). Obsolete.† f. intransitive. To make repairs. rare except in collocations with intransitive senses of make: see make v.1 1d, 39f. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To restore to a complete, sound, or usable condition (something broken, worn, torn, etc.); to repair or make good (a defective part), fix.Now the prevailing sense, the others, so far as they survive, being more or less coloured by this. In modern use typically applied to articles of clothing or furniture, crockery, roofs, fences, etc. †to mend a pen: to recut the nib of a worn quill pen (obsolete).to mend one's fences: see fence n. 5c.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > mending or repairing > [verb (transitive)]
beetc975
menda1200
amenda1250
rightc1275
botcha1382
reparela1382
cure1382
repaira1387
dighta1400
emend1411
to mend up1479
restablishc1500
help1518
trimc1520
redub1522
reparate1548
accommodate1552
reinstaure1609
reconcinnate1623
to do up1647
righta1656
fixa1762
doctor1829
vamp1837
service1916
rejig1976
society > communication > writing > writing materials > writing instrument > [verb (transitive)] > adapt point of pen for writing
nib1752
mend1820
neb1880
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 217 (MED) On þe helde laȝe, het ure drihten þat me ne sholde none man bitechen bute he were teid to menden chirche.
?c1225 Ancrene Riwle (Cleo.: Scribe B) (1972) 308 Seoweð & mendeð [c1230 Corpus mendið] chirche claðes.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 129 (MED) Olde chirches he mendede, and new cherches he bulde.
c1400 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Trin. Cambr. R.3.14) (1960) A. iii. 51 Þere nis wyndowe ne auter Þat I ne shulde make or mende.
c1480 (a1400) St. Mark 81 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 241 Þe bochoure wes mendand þe scho.
1487 in T. Gardner Hist. Acct. Dunwich (1754) 153 Payd the Glas-wryȝte for mendyng Seynt Krysteferys Wyndown.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Mark i. 19 As they were in the shyppe mendynge their nettes.
1575 Churchwardens' Accts. Stanford in Antiquary (1888) 17 171/1 It. for lathing & mending the churche howse mounds vd.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 186 As if I had been so good a husband, as to mend my own clothes.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 219 Our Rudder broke, which being quickly mended again with some Nails, we sailed only with a fore-sail.
1738 Purefoy Lett. (1931) I. viii. 191 To mend two Pannells in the back Parlour 0–03–06.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park III. vii. 148 I wish we could get the bell mended—but Betsey is a very handy little messenger. View more context for this quotation
1820 J. Keats Lett. (1958) II. 262 I have been writing with a vile old pen the whole week... The fault is in the Quill: I have mended it.
1863 A. Blomfield Mem. Bp. Blomfield I. viii. 223 We all sit and mend our pens and talk about the weather.
1878 W. S. Jevons Polit. Econ. 29 Hedges and ditches are mended when there is nothing else to do.
1888 Housewife 3 436/2 After mending the holes, the thin places..should be run thickly backwards and forwards.
1942 W. Faulkner Go down, Moses & Other Stories 168 Sitting in the door of the plantation black-smith shop, where he sharpened plow-points and mended tools.
1990 R. Smith Nemesis ix. 85 The young man rang her doorbell, grim and sullen, his plastic schoolboy glasses still mended with adhesive tape.
b. transitive. To add fuel to (a fire). Cf. earlier beet v.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > make a fire > add fuel to (a fire)
beetc1275
timber1486
mend?a1505
stoke1735
to make up1781
bank1825
chunk1840
to stack up1892
a1505 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid l. 36 in Poems (1981) 112 I mend the fyre and beikit me about.
1631 B. Jonson Bartholmew Fayre ii. v. 25 in Wks. II In, you Rogue, and wipe the pigges, and mend the fire, that they fall not.
1720 A. Petrie Rules Good Deportm. iii, in Wks. (1877) 21 Do not spit in the Fire, nor offer to mend it.
1834 H. Martineau Farrers of Budge-Row i. 15 Jane shook her head as she carefully mended the fire.
1953 V. Randolph & G. P. Wilson Down in Holler 83 Bill he had to set up an' mend the fire all night.
1992 C. McCarthy All Pretty Horses (1993) i. 92 He mended the fire and turned the meat on the greenwood racks.
c. transitive. In extended use.
ΚΠ
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 157 And ȝe tailȝouris, with weil maid clais Can mend the werst maid man that gais.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iii. ii. 163 I would thou wert a mans tailer, that thou mightst mend him. View more context for this quotation
1762 S. Scott Descr. Millenium Hall 87 The earnest desire not to be brought into the same hazard again, has induced them to mend their tempers.
1764 B. Franklin Let. 8 Nov. in Papers (1967) XI. 450 The Acts of Devotion in the common Prayer Book..will do more towards mending the Heart than Sermons generally can do.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. xvi. 272 To mend the broken fortunes of his ancient family.
1979 S. Brett Comedian Dies i. 7 They were together, in another attempt to mend their marriage, which had never been quite the same after Charles walked out.
1987 C. Achebe Anthills of Savannah vi. 80 She peered into her handbag mirror to mend her rouge.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > put right [verb (transitive)] > by adjustment
mend?1518
rectify1669
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > [verb (transitive)] > trim or turn up
mend?1518
trim1557
to turn up1860
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. C.j Some ye longe bote dyde launce some mende ye corse.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) v. ii. 313 Your Crownes away [read awry], Ile mend it. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iii. ii. 6 Why he will looke vppon his boote, and sing: mend the Ruffe and sing. View more context for this quotation
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes Induct. 48 in Wks. II Book-holder. Mend your lights, Gentlemen. Master Prologue, beginne. (Marg.) The Tiremen enter to mend the lights.
1645 D. Featley Καταβάπτισται Κατάπτυστοι: Dippers Dipt 190 The snuffers which were to mend the lights in the Sanctuary..were to be made of pure gold.
1683 J. Dryden & N. Lee Duke of Guise ii. ii. 16 Yes, I wou'd make every Glance a Murder. Mend me this Curle.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. x. 104 We exerted ourselves..to reeve new lanyards, and to mend our sails.
1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster II. viii. 97 He therefore turned the hands up, ‘mend sails’, and took his station amidship on the booms, to see that this, the most delinquent sail, was properly furled.
1887 S. Samuels From Forecastle to Cabin 34 All hands were piped aloft to mend sails; that is, to loose and refurl sails.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > tailor or make clothes [verb (transitive)] > repair or renovate
turn?c1475
translate1503
spetch1828
mend1836
clobber1851
reviver1852
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) v. 50 When his guests had been washed, mended, brushed, and brandied.
1876 W. S. Gilbert Sorcerer (1886) ii. 24 She will tend him, nurse him, mend him, Air his linen [etc.].
1895 ‘Rosemary’ Under Chilterns ii. 81 That'd be nigh enough for me to wash 'im an' mend 'im.
ΚΠ
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 30/1 Those who make or mend, and who must make or mend so cheaply that the veriest vagrant may be their customer [etc.].
1888 W. Besant Fifty Years Ago vi. 91 Everybody knew that every girl in the place was always making, mending, cutting-out, basting, gusseting, trimming, turning, and contriving.
2. transitive. To make amends or reparation for, atone for (a misdeed, an injury). Also intransitive: to make reparation. Now only in the proverb least said soonest mended.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > atone for [verb (transitive)]
beetc897
i-bye10..
abyelOE
answer?a1300
buya1300
amendc1300
mendc1330
forbuy1340
redressa1387
answera1400
byea1400
filla1400
peasea1400
ransoma1400
to pay for——c1400
recompense?a1439
abidea1450
satisfyc1460
redeema1464
repaira1513
syth1513
reconcile1535
acquit1567
dispense1590
assoil1596
propitiate1610
expiatea1626
atone1661
retrievea1679
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 2760 Þou slouȝ moraunt wiþ pride..And seþþen vrgan vnride..Mende þou most þat mis.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 532 (MED) I giue me..in his grace as gilty..to mende my misse, i make myn a-vowe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 20251 (MED) If i haf anithing mis-wroght..I wil it mend.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 26223 And he þat bath [sc. church and man] þair bleith has blend, A-gains bath be-hous him mend.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 303 (MED) Pape Boniface duellid opon þis, To gyue dome..to mende boþe þer mys.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 11 Ȝif þai wyle mend þat þai do mys, To haue remyssyon.
1550 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue (new ed.) i. ix. sig. C Ye maie syr (quoth he) mend thre naies with one ye.
1588 A. Munday Banqvet of Daintie Conceits sig. D ivv Haste makes waste, as proofe dooth say: And little said, soone mend ye may.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. ii. 25 Come, come, you haue bin too rough,..you must returne, and mend it. View more context for this quotation
1670 Sc. Prov. in J. Ray Coll. Eng. Prov. 285 Little said, soon mendit. [Cf. 1659 J. Howell Prov. 9/1 Little said soon amended.]
1707 Duke of Marlborough Let. 4 Aug. in H. L. Snyder Marlborough–Godolphin Corr. (1975) II. 857 If he gives me occasion I shall put him in mind of the English saying (litle said is soon mended), but I know he will govern himself.
1773 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris (1832) II. 289 Our Secretary of State reminds me of a maxim of his predecessor that said is soonest mended.
1836 F. Marryat Pirate v, in Pirate & Three Cutters 46 The least said the soonest mended.
1841 E. Bulwer-Lytton Night & Morning III. iv. viii. 85 At present, ‘least said soonest mended’.
1944 Times 18 Mar. 5/4 Least said soonest mended, and we may hope that the anonymous gentleman has been forgiven accordingly.
1984 S. McCrumb Sick of Shadows xiii. 207 Elizabeth stared. Raking things up? So Alban's attitude about Eileen's death had come down to ‘least said, soonest mended.’
2008 P. Hensher Northern Clemency 259 I didn't like her much, though of course I'd not wanted to say anything while they were going steady. Least said soonest mended.
3. † b. transitive. To correct (a mistake, something erroneous). Obsolete.† c. intransitive. Of a fault: to undergo rectification. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To rectify, remedy, remove (an evil); to correct, put right (a fault, error, etc.); †to alleviate (distress) (obsolete). See also to mend matters at Phrases 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > put right [verb (transitive)]
helpc950
amendc1230
bootc1330
correctc1374
menda1375
recovera1398
dighta1400
restorea1400
redressa1402
recurec1425
remedyc1425
remeidc1480
emendc1485
richa1500
rightena1500
chastisea1513
rectifya1529
redeem1575
salve1575
remed1590
reclaim1593
renew1608
retrieve1625
recruit1673
raccommode1754
splice1803
doctor1829
remediate1837
right-side1847
sort1948
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform, amend, or correct [verb (transitive)] > recover from (some bad moral state)
mend1881
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 971 (MED) Þou trestes to my help ȝif i miȝt in ani maner mende þi sorwe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 644 Here lastes lijf wit-oten end, Her es nathing for to mend.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 5418 Bath he [sc. ioseph] did his lauerd byyate And mended nede in þair state.
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (1987) v. 1426 She wolde come and mende al that was mys.
a1450 (?1404) in J. Kail 26 Polit. Poems (1904) 19 Thouȝ holy chirche shulde fawtes mende, Summe put hem of for mede.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 157 Sowtaris, with schone weill maid and meit Ȝe mend the faltis of ill maid feit.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 107 She sweats... That's a fault that water will mend.
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ii. 20 You must examine where the fault is, and taking the Pin out, mend the fault in the Joynt.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 168. ⁋4 There is no Way of mending such false Modesty.
1816 W. Scott Black Dwarf ix*, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. I. 194 But how ye are to put yoursels up, I canna see! And what's waur, I canna mend it.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci iii. i. 47 Poverty, the which I sought to mend By holding a poor office in the state.
1881 Catholic World Sept. 724 I..sincerely tried to mend my faults and to be kind and pleasant and unselfish with others.
1987 H. Turtledove Misplaced Legion ix. 203 Before he could mend his error, the tribune came panting up to cork the entrance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > put right [verb (transitive)] > specifically an error or fault
correct1340
reforma1475
resarce1524
redub1537
redouble1542
mend?1566
rectify1588
?1566–7 G. Buchanan Opinion Reformation Univ. St. Andros in Vernacular Writings (1892) 9 Na man sal mend otheris faltis [sc. mistakes in a lesson] vntil they cum to the regent.
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 17 Dec. (1948) II. 440 I have mistaken the day of the month, and been forced to mend it thrice.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > provide a remedy [verb (intransitive)] > undergo amendment
mend1712
1712 A. Pope in Spectator No. 408. The Fire of Youth will of Course abate, and is a Fault,..that mends every Day.
4. † b. transitive (reflexive). To reform oneself. Obsolete.
a. To free (a person, character, habits, etc.) from sin or fault; to improve morally; to reform; (occasionally) to cure of (a fault).
(a) transitive. In asseverative declarations and oaths (cf. help v. 1c). Now chiefly in Scottish and Irish English, in the devil (also hell) mend (a person or thing), etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person
mendc1380
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) 1575 ‘Wolleþ ȝe ȝou defende?’..‘Ȝea, so god me mende.’
c1425 (c1400) Laud Troy-bk. 433 (MED) Lordynges, so god me mende, Lamedon me to ȝow sende.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 323 As mahowne me mende..Thus shall we say.
a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) 6864 (MED) Hys felows wolde wyth hym wende; He wolde not let þem, so god me mende.
1568 Newe Comedie Iacob & Esau i. iii. sig. B.jv The most gentle yong man aliue, as God me mende.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. v. 78 You'le not indure him? God shall mend my soule. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. i. 179 By my troth, and in good earnest, and so God mend mee, and by all pretty oathes that are not dangerous. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. vi. 68 Heauen mend all. View more context for this quotation
1789 J. Wolcot Subj. for Painters in Wks. (1812) II. 136 Where'er they go, poor imps God mend 'em!
a1811 R. Cumberland Passive Husband i. i, in Posthumous Dramatick Wks. (1813) I. 232 Truc. Her nerves are all to pieces. Pat. The Devil mend 'em, say I!
1816 C. Lamb Glenarvon II. xxxviii. 383 I shall not let you stir from these apartments..till my nephew comes; and, then, God mend you, or take you.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Chastelard ii. i. 54 God mend all, I pray—And keep us from all wrongdoing and wild words.
1907 J. M. Synge Playboy of Western World ii. 43 Shawn. I seen your mountainy sheep eating cabbages in Jimmy's field... Pegeen. Oh, God mend them!
1986 T. Murphy Bailegangaire i, in Plays: 2 (1993) 95 The Bochtáns were never entirely fortunate. An' devil mend them. An' scald them.
1992 A. Gray Poor Things (1993) i. 9 If Scraffles puts me in a pauper's grave then Hell mend him!
(b) transitive. In other constructions. Now chiefly in to mend one's manners (also ways).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform, amend, or correct [verb (transitive)]
i-bete971
rightOE
rightlecheOE
menda1382
redress1384
rectifyc1475
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform, amend, or correct [verb (transitive)] > specific faults, evil ways, etc.
beetc950
menda1382
reform1512
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Wisd. xii. 26 Vnwise childre..who forsoþe with repreues & blamyngis ben not mendid.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 22436 Þar es nam[an]..þat he ne his liif agh to mend.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 26507 (MED) Quen þou art mendid o þi sin.
c1450 ABC of Aristotle (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 11 It schal neuere greue a good man þouȝ þe gilti be meendid.
1562 J. Heywood Epigr. i. R If euery man mende one, all shall be mended.
1577 T. Kendall tr. Politianus et al. Flowers of Epigrammes f. 96v Leaue you knaue to scoffe And mend your manners, or I sweare, Thy head shalbe cut of.
1590 Cobler of Caunterburie 68 Shee was glad to graunt whatsoeuer the Abbot would aske, so hir husband might bee mended of his fault.
1679 W. Penn Addr. Protestants i. ix, in Wks. (1825) III. 39 A descreet and cool hand may direct the blow right..when men of fury rather ease their passion, than mend their youth.
a1685 Earl of Roscommon Prayer of Jeremy Paraphras'd in Poems (1707) 15 Turn but to us, O Lord, we'll mend our Ways.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 112. ¶7 If he does not mend his Manners.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. viii. 116 Though the instruction I communicate may not mend them [sc. prisoners], yet it will assuredly mend myself.
1831 S. Lover Legends & Stories Ireland 82 The bishop ups and he tells him that he must mend his manners.
1870 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (ed. 2) II. viii. 207 That turbulent Prelate..had mended his ways.
1891 S. Baring-Gould Urith II. xxix. 281 Have you seen how a little dog is mended of lamb worrying?
1900 Catholic World May 221 If the child proved too troublesome he should be sent away for awhile, to cool his hot temper and mend his manners a little.
1959 P. H. Johnson Unspeakable Skipton 34 So, come off your high horse, and mend your manners.
1992 T. McMillan Waiting to Exhale (1993) 45 He said he missed me something fierce and had mended his ways.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform [verb (reflexive)]
amenda1275
menda1387
reform1512
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 47 (MED) Al þat tyme he lyuede a wicked lyf, and..he mendede hym and lyuede sixe monþes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 25548 (MED) Þou send vs lauerd wijt and will To mend us of vr dedis ill.
1451–1500 (c1400) Vision of Tundale 2326 (MED) He warned alle..To mende hem here, before her dede.
1596 J. Harington New Disc. Aiax sig. I2 Let both the writer & the readers endeauour to mend our selues.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 41 Bid the dishonest man mend himself. View more context for this quotation
c. intransitive. To undergo reform or moral improvement; to mend one's ways. Now chiefly Scottish except in the proverb it is never too late to mend.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform [verb (intransitive)]
risec1175
amenda1275
menda1400
reform1582
reclaim1625
to turn down a leaf1633
to take up1661
repair1748
mend1782
to go straight1888
to straighten up1891
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 23264 For þai mai haf na might to mend.
a1450 (?c1405) in J. Kail 26 Polit. Poems (1904) 23 [He] þat nyl not mende, but ay don ylle.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Diiv Their conscience..sayth thei were Tolde of their fault & woulde not mende.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 387 Let shame come when it will, I doe not callit [sic]... Mend when thou canst, be better at thy leasure. View more context for this quotation
1655 J. Howell 4th Vol. Familiar Lett. xxxviii. 92 It is never over-late to mend.
1786 R. Burns Poems 61 O wad ye tak a thought an' men'!
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule ix. 151 I am afraid that you are a very foolish boy..but I hope to see you mend when you marry.
1909 L. M. Montgomery Anne of Avonlea xvii. 195 ‘Well, it's never too late to mend,’ said Anne roguishly.
1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 82 An' fain wid men', fan their chance wis past.
1934 H. Spring Shabby Tiger iv. 34 Adolf shrugged a shoulder which suggested that it's never too late to mend.
1961 I. Jefferies It wasn't Me! i. 13 How kind... Never too late to mend.
5.
a. transitive. To restore to health, cure, heal. Also in extended use. Now archaic and regional.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > heal or cure [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person or part
wholeeOE
healc1000
betterOE
i-sundienc1175
salvea1225
botenc1225
savea1250
warishc1250
recurea1382
curec1384
mendc1390
remedya1470
cheerc1540
loosea1637
to pull through1816
rehab1973
c1390 (?c1350) St. Paula 115 in C. Horstmann Sammlung Altengl. Legenden (1878) 5 (MED) Wiþ Godus gras, Of þat seknes heo mended was.
a1425 St. Nicholas (Harl.) 349 in C. Horstmann Altengl. Legenden (1881) 2nd Ser. 15 (MED) Þai praid all to saint Nicholas Þat man þore forto rays & mend.
a1425 St. Lucy 8 in C. Horstmann Altengl. Legenden (1881) 2nd Ser. 17 (MED) Scho..fand no medcyn hir might mend.
c1480 (a1400) St. John Baptist 114 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 226 To spek with hyre come oure lady..to mend hyre & hyre chere.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxiiv There be dyuers waters & other medicynes wolde mende hym.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 99 Yearly thy Herds in Vigour will impair; Recruit and mend 'em with thy Yearly care. View more context for this quotation
1736 in Swift's Lett. (1766) II. 235 I daily see such numbers of people mended by them [sc. these waters], that [etc.].
1833 C. Lamb Ellistoniana in Last Ess. Elia 40 Sir A—— C——..who mends a lame narrative almost as well as he sets a fracture.
1868 W. Morris Earthly Paradise ii. 551 And August came the fainting year to mend With fruit and grain.
1883 R. W. Dixon Mano i. v. 14 And slowly some we mended of their ill, And pitied all.
1901 Gallovidian 3 74 My granfather got it frae him for mendin an unweel wean.
1936 J. Buchan Island of Sheep vi. 112 We were at any rate mending his health.
1990 I. M. Banks Use of Weapons (1991) ii. 114 She helped him, and without knowing it. She mended him.
b. intransitive. To regain health; to recover from sickness. Formerly (occasionally) with †of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > recover or be healed [verb (intransitive)]
wholeeOE
botenc1225
cover1297
amendc1325
recovera1375
warisha1386
recovera1387
healc1390
recurec1400
soundc1402
mendc1440
convalesce1483
guarish1489
restore1494
refete?a1505
revert1531
to gather (or pick) up one's crumbs1589
cure1597
recruit1644
to perk upa1656
retrieve1675
to pick up1740
to leave one's bed1742
to sit up and take nourishment1796
to get round1798
to come round1818
to pull through1830
rally1831
to fetch round1870
to mend up1877
to pull round1889
recoup1896
recuperate1897
c1440 Liber de Diversis Med. 6 (MED) Anoynte his heued þer-with ofte, & he sal mende.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 227 May nane remeid my maledie Sa weill as ȝe..And gif I mend not haistalie.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxiiv There be some shepe that wyll be blynde a season and yet mende agayne.
1663 King Charles II in J. M. Cartwright Henrietta of Orleans (1894) 149 She mends very slowly.
1713 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 22 Feb. (1948) II. 625 The Qu—— is slowly mending of her Gout.
1777 D. Garrick Let. 21 Apr. in D. Garrick & G. Spencer Lett. (1960) 95 The Physician hath partly left me to myself & therefore I may mend.
1810 P. B. Shelley Zastrozzi xi. 151 The health of Verezzi, meanwhile, slowly mended.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge v. 262 The fever has left him, and the doctor says he will soon mend.
1897 M. L. Hughes Mediterranean Fever v. 194 One day of injudicious dietary..in a case that is mending, may cause a serious relapse.
1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood vii. 120 Your skin's ower clean to beil, and ye'll mend quick if ye let the clouts bide a wee.
1957 H. Williamson Golden Virgin iii. xxi. 330 No bones broken, fortunately, but he has some way to go to mend.
1976 A. Garber Mountain-ese 57 He's been real puny but he's beginnin' to mend uv late.
c. intransitive. Of a wound, or injury, or an injured part of the body, etc.: to heal. Of an illness: to become less severe. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > process of healing of an injury, etc. > of injury, etc.: heal [verb (intransitive)] > of wound: heal
healc1390
solda1425
uphealc1440
heal up1590
repair1590
menda1600
recure1616
the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > process of healing of an injury, etc. > of injury, etc.: heal [verb (intransitive)] > of pain, fever, or disease: abate
lightOE
discuss1559
menda1600
remit1665
a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) 29502 Ane deip wound..quhilk mendit neuir moir.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) v. ii. 72 My long sicknesse Of Health, and Liuing, now begins to mend . View more context for this quotation
1691 R. Kirk Secret Commonw. in M. M. Rossi Il Cappellano delle Fate (1964) 418 The sore which dayly mends thereafter.
1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 140 An ulcer mends in one part though it may spread in another.
1869 A. C. Gibson Folk-speech Cumberland 163 His hand mendit weel—(He hed gud healin flesh,..hed Joe).
1949 ‘J. Tey’ Brat Farrar iv. 33 The slow realisation that his leg had mended ‘short’.
1967 R. D. Laing Politics of Experience v. 107 Even broken hearts have been known to mend, if we have the heart to let them.
1995 Focus Aug. 20/2 Knee ligaments are notoriously difficult to repair. Like tendons, they don't mend easily.
6. † b. intransitive. To become less faulty. Of conditions: to become less unfavourable, improve. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To remove the defects of (a thing); to correct (what is faulty); to improve by correction or alteration; to emend. Now rare except in certain fixed expressions: see senses Phrases 1, Phrases 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > literary and textual criticism > textual criticism > practise textual criticism [verb (transitive)] > emend
amend?c1225
correctc1374
reformc1425
emaculate1623
mend1631–2
castigate1666
rectify1730
emend1769
doctor?c1775
redress1796
emendate1876
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 69 (MED) I salle þe make..my chefe Justise, þe lawes to mend & right.
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) xii. 530 (MED) For brousty oil, whit wex is to resolue In fynest oil..So wol hit mende, odour and taast also.
1461 in J. T. Gilbert Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 309 The sayd lawe was mendyt by autorite of a semble.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 19 Heathy, Brushy, & Grauelly ground: may these be made fruitefull, and mended [L. corrigi & fœcundari] by arte.
1631–2 High Commission Cases (Camden) 237 I wish that you..that are soe ready to fynd faultes were sett to mend the booke of common prayer.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 81 Salt Earth and bitter are not fit to sow, Nor will be tam'd and mended by the Plough.
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 74 So where Marle is not laid too thick..it will often mend Clays.
1724 A. Collins Disc. Grounds Christian Relig. 20 Divines; who seem to pay little deference to the Books of the New Testament, whose text they are perpetually mending in their sermons, commentaries, and writings, to serve purposes.
1818 W. Cobbett Gram. Eng. Lang. xiv. §155 Never think of mending what you write. Let it go. No patching; no after-pointing.
1872 W. W. Skeat Chaucer's Treat. Astrolabe 87 I have mended the text as well as I could by words, &c., inserted between square brackets.
1901 T. R. Glover Life & Lett. 4th Cent. 90 The last three books [of Q. Smyrnaeus]..are beyond revision. To be mended they must be re-written.
1937 R. K. Narayan Bachelor of Arts ix. 125 He tried to mend his previous statement.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] > become less faulty
mend1600
1600 J. Weever Favnvs & Melliflora sig. I iv Vice this yeare of Vertue makes an end, Ill at the worst, doth alway gin to mend.
1647 J. Howell New Vol. of Lett. 120 I hope the times will mend.
1683 W. Penn in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1826) I. 418 Our condition here..mends upon us.
a1721 M. Prior Turtle & Sparrow (1723) 416 Matters at worst are sure to mend.
1736 G. Berkeley Querist: Pt. II (new ed.) §5 Whether..our State will mend, so long as Property is insecure among us?
1782 S. Johnson Let. 11 Dec. (1994) IV. 96 I hope things will mend with us all.
1876 G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay II. 2 Things did not mend as time went on.
II. Without distinct reference to defects: to make better, ameliorate, improve.† 7. † 9. † 10. † 11.
a. transitive. To improve in quality; to render more excellent; to ameliorate (conditions, etc.). Obsolete.Often (and in earliest uses) in relation to mood, temper, etc., and as such not always distinguishable from sense 6a. to mend a person's cheer (archaic in later use): (a) to cheer, comfort (cf. cheer n.1 2); (b) to improve the fare of (cf. cheer n.1 6).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > make cheerful [verb (transitive)]
to mend a person's cheera1325
raisec1384
cherishc1400
rehetec1400
blithec1440
cheer1440
lightena1450
light?1473
embellish1481
hearten1524
exhilarate1540
laetificate1547
to cheer up1550
lift1572
to do a person's heart good1575
acheera1592
upcheerc1595
cherry1596
relevate1598
encheer1605
brighten1607
buoy1652
undumpisha1661
to lift (up) a person's spirits1711
cheerfulize1781
blithen1824
pearten1827
chirk1843
to chipper up1873
to chirp up188.
to buck up1909
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)]
beetc975
betterOE
goodOE
sharpa1100
amendc1300
enhance1526
meliorate1542
embetter1568
endeara1586
enrich1598
meliorize1598
mend1603
sweeten1607
improve1617
to work up1641
ameliorate1653
solace1667
fine1683
ragout1749
to make something of1778
richen1795
transcendentalize1846
to tone up1847
to do something (also things) for (also to)1880
rich1912
to step up1920
uprate1965
up1968
nice1993
a1325 (?a1300) in G. H. McKnight Middle Eng. Humorous Tales (1913) 22 A, suythe mayden, reu of me... Yu mend yi mode and her my steuene.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 647 (MED) Þanne þis maiden melior gan menden here chere.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 10434 ‘Leuedi,’ sco said, ‘for drightin dere, Þou mend þi mode and turn þi chere!’
c1450 (a1425) Metrical Paraphr. Old Test. (Selden) 3535 (MED) Scho prayd hyr fader to mend his chere.
c1480 (a1400) SS. Simon & Jude 122 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 211 Þe epystil..quhare-In he heycht to mend his stat.
a1500 (a1400) Ipomedon (Chetham) (1889) 471 (MED) Syr, this mantell gyff I the..And thow wilte take þis sympull gyfte, Is shall be mendyd be my thryfte.
1603 J. Florio in tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. Ep. Ded. sig. R2v So neyther is one vertue fit for all, nor all fit for one vertue: nor is that one so excellent, but by more it might be mended.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Xx4 Tacitus obserueth how rarely raising of the fortune mendeth the disposition.
1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 19 Trees..as they grow in yeeres, bignesse, and strength; so they mend their fruit.
a1635 R. Corbet Certain Elegant Poems (1647) 49 William Churne..Who every meale can mend your cheere, With Tales both old and true.
1682 N. Grew Idea Philos. Hist. Plants 17 in Anat. Plants Some Vegetables lose their Smell,..others, keep it,..others, mend it.
1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) I'll try if I can mend your Chear, J'essayerai..de vous mieux regaler.
1700 J. Dryden Fables Pref. sig. *D Chaucer..has mended the Stories which he has borrow'd, in his way of telling.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 383. ¶4 The fifty new Churches will very much mend the Prospect.
1733 Ess. Hunting 40 Directions for mending and improving the Breed [of dogs].
1782 W. Cowper Hope in Poems 164 The Sacred Book..speaks with plainness art could never mend.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) II. 47 Cattle are small... And they would be more so, were not the breed mended by a mixture with those of other countries.
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles iii. xii. 97 A bow full deftly can he bend, And, if we meet an herd, may send A shaft shall mend our cheer.
1834 H. Taylor Philip van Artevelde Pt. I iii. iv. 160 Gilbert Matthew. I have observed that when he is not happy He sends for me. D'Arlon. And do you mend his mood?
1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. II. x. 208 The Fieldings, till Henry came up to mend the reputation, were not thought very clever.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. viii. 284 Richard the Third..had mended the cheer of his hosts by a present of fat bucks from his forests.
1854 Ld. Tennyson To Rev. F. D. Maurice x How best to help the slender store, How mend the dwellings, of the poor.
1860 J. D. Hooker Let. 2 July (1918) I. xxvi. 525 A paper of a Yankee donkey called Draper..was being read, and it did not mend my temper.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. IV 434 ‘Bring them here,’ Said Ospak, ‘they may mend our doleful cheer.’
b. intransitive. To grow better in quality, improve. Obsolete.Occasionally used ironically, as in the proverbial use illustrated in quot. 1546.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] > improve or grow better
betterOE
goodOE
risec1175
mend1546
meliorize1598
to mend one's hand1611
improve1642
meliorate1655
brighten1659
ameliorate1728
to look up1806
to tone up1881
raise1898
graduate1916
to shape up1938
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) 24490 (MED) All mi licam bigan to light And mi mode to mend.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. ix. sig. Kiv Than wolde ye mende..as sowre ale mendthe in sommer.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 70 What thinke you of this foole Maluolio, doth he not mend ? View more context for this quotation
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 174 St. Peters seldom answers Expectation, at first entering it, but..mends upon the Eye every Moment.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 543. ⁋1 Though it [sc. the human body] appears formed with the nicest Wisdom, upon the most superficial Survey of it, it still mends upon the Search.
1756 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. I. 194 From Susa the road begins to mend, and the valley extends itself into a plain.
1803 D. P. Madison Let. 26 Jan. (2003) 52 I will yet hope, if the weather clears off mildly, & the roads mend that you will visit us.
c. intransitive. To recover from, get better of, grow out of. Cf. sense 4c. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform [verb (intransitive)]
risec1175
amenda1275
menda1400
reform1582
reclaim1625
to turn down a leaf1633
to take up1661
repair1748
mend1782
to go straight1888
to straighten up1891
1782 H. L. Thrale Diary 27 Nov. in K. C. Balderston Thraliana (1942) I. 551 Pride is the prominent Fault in both their Characters: but both will mend of it.
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy xxi ‘She's very young, Sir.’ ‘She'll mend of that, ma'am. We were young once ourselves.’
1881 J. Fothergill Kith & Kin III. ii. 43 He had always trusted that the boy would mend of such outlandish indifference.
8. transitive. To improve upon, surpass, better. In early use with personal object. Later chiefly colloquial: to produce something better than. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)] > surpass what has been done or exists
mendc1330
surpass1593
cap1821
trump1860
to beat out1985
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 555 Bot y þe mendi may, Wrong þan wite y þe.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 329 In hushering. Mende him who can. View more context for this quotation
1891 G. B. Shaw Quintessence of Ibsenism iv. 57 Shakespear..could mend it to no better purpose than by the equally vulgar pessimism of Troilus and Cressida.
1906 N.E.D. (at cited word) A very good story: I don't think I can mend it.
a. transitive. To improve the condition or fortune of. Also reflexive: to better oneself, to make an advantageous change in one's condition. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > cause to prosper or flourish [verb (transitive)] > increase prosperity of
mend?a1400
better1557
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > advance or progress [verb (reflexive)] > raise oneself in rank, power, or prosperity
better1557
mend1632
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 244 (MED) Wardeyns gode he sette, to stabille þe londe & mende [Fr. fet l'estat melliour].
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. 6451 With warison he suld þam mend.
1558 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories Archdeaconry Richmond (1853) 122 I wyll yt the pore folkes of the church rawe be mended with bygge.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 140 Whatsoeuer is New is vnlooked for; And euer it mends Some, and paires Other.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. iii. 84 He could not mend himselfe, in regard of my shelter.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 68 Your service was hard..therefore..I did as other considerate persons do, look out, if perhaps I might mend my self. View more context for this quotation
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 96 Whether it was by Negligence in guarding them, or that they thought the Fellows could not mend themselves, I know not, but one of them run away.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 40 How either he or we should be much mended by it, I cannot imagine. View more context for this quotation
1876 J. Richardson Cummerland Talk 2nd Ser. 183 If..he duddent know what way to gang to mend his-sel, he hed to grub away fra leet to dark for a canny laal.
b. transitive. Scottish. To profit, advantage (a person). Also intransitive: to avail. Usually with non-referential it as subject, and in negative and interrogative contexts. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > specifically of a person
profita1400
mend1508
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. cvi It may nocht mend the ane myte to mak it so teugh.
a1540 (c1460) G. Hay tr. Bk. King Alexander 1790 It mendis nocht to mak murning or mane.
1568 A. Scott Poems (1896) xx. 22 Off all thy wo and cair It mends the not to mene.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 655 He saw thair was na meiknes nor mesure micht mend.
1572 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxx. 126 Quhat will it mend to murne thy senses out?
a. transitive. To improve (a person) physically; to cause to thrive. Also intransitive: (of a child) to thrive (cf. sense 7b). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > be in state of health [verb (intransitive)] > be in good health > thrive
mendc1500
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 464 Outhire mete has mendid þe full mekill..Or ane has stollen in my stede.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 103 Melusyne..had so grete care for her children that they mended & grewe so wel that euery one that saw them meruaylled.
b. transitive. Scottish and Irish English (northern). To fatten, cause to gain weight. Also intransitive: (of an animal) to gain weight, grow plump. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1830 J. Hogg Songs 244 An' pu' the limpet aff the rock, To batten an' to mend [1810 Forest Minstrel fend] ye.
1873 C. Swainson Weather Folk-lore 39 February; an ye be fair, The hogs'll mend, and naething pair.
a. transitive. To improve (wages, prices, etc.) by additions. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > wage structures and scales > [verb (transitive)] > improve wages
mendc1450
c1450 (?a1400) Parl. Thre Ages (BL Add. 31042) 146 His renttes and his reches rekened he full ofte... Of profettis of his pasturs, that his purse mendis.
a1475 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 272 (MED) Fals iudas, to mendyn hys purs, To ded hath hym sold.
1510 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 81 Thai sall caus him be pait yerlie of tene pundis..quhill thai be of puyschance to mend him his fee.
1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 366 The market he so mended manyfolde.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. M4 If his liuing be too little, then ought the church to mend it.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. iv. 93 And we will mend thy wages. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 128 Sometimes white Lyllies did their Leaves afford, With wholsom Poppy-flow'rs, to mend his homely Board.
b. transitive. To supplement, make up the deficiency of (see also sense 7a). In later use English regional in to mend one's draught: to have another drink. Obsolete.See also to mend one's hand at Phrases 4(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > make complete [verb (transitive)] > complete, fill up, or make up > by supplying what is wanting
performa1382
supplyc1480
upmake1485
to make up1488
mend?a1505
to stop, to fill (in or up), to supply a gap?1523
to eke out1596
help out (also through)1600
size1608
echea1616
inch out1620
to eke up1633
supplete1664
lengthen1670
supplement1749
to husband out1762
sort1880
piecenc1900
a1505 R. Henryson Orpheus & Eurydice l. 281 in Poems (1981) 141 Thus gat he nocht his thrist to slake nor mend.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. iii. 59 Wee'll mend our dinner here. View more context for this quotation
1638 H. Wotton Let. in J. Milton Wks. (1738) I. p. xvi I would have been bold, in our vulgar phrase, to mend my draught, for you left me with an extreme Thirst.
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 9 Oct. (1948) II. 330 I was forced to lie down at twelve to-day, and mend my night's sleep.
1793 T. Scott Poems 329 The poor man cou'd have ment a meal, Wi' a hare-bouk or sa'mon tail.
1875 A. Porson Notes Quaint Words Dial. S. Worcs. 30 If you like cider, sir, I hope you'll mend your draught.
c. intransitive. To improve in amount or price. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [verb (intransitive)] > rise (of prices) > rise in price
arise1340
rise?1468
mend1606
advance1664
to run up1705
to go up1826
enhance1889
ripen1892
1606 Returne from Pernassus v. ii. sig. H2v Then let vs leaue this baser fidling trade, For though our purse should mend, our credit fades.
1812 Examiner 7 Sept. 563/2 Wool mending in price.
Phrases
P1. transitive and intransitive. Idiomatically in rhyming collocation with end (in various senses). Cf. kill or cure at kill v. 7e.
ΚΠ
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 182 Except ze mend,..ȝe sall end all mischeuouslie.
1578 T. White Serm. Pawles Crosse 3 Nov. 1577 74 Plague: what hathe it done? it hathe mended as manye as it hathe ended.
1603 J. Florio in tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. Ep. Ded. sig. R3 That perfect-vnperfect Arcadia, which..your all praise-exceeding father..lived not to mend or end-it.
1606 S. Daniel Queenes Arcadia iv. iv. sig. H4 All extremities must mend, or end.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 805 When the King of Mexico sickened, they vsed to put a Visor on the face..of some..Idol, which was not taken away till he mended or ended.
1649 Εἰκων Βασιλικη xv. 123 I had the Charitie to interpret, that most part of My Subjects fought against My supposed Errors, not My Person; and intended to mend Mee, not to end Mee.
1704 Dict. Rusticum at Speed This Distemper in Cattle may well be so called, because it either mends or ends in three Days time.
1823 Ld. Byron Juan x. xlii This is the way physicians mend or end us.]
1884 J. Morley in Times 31 July 11/4 The..question of mending or ending the House of Lords.
1894 E. Hart in Brit. Med. Jrnl. 21 Apr. 879/2 The system of pauper district schools organised on the ‘barrack’ principle should be mended or ended as soon as possible.
1995 Newsweek 31 July 30/3 ‘Mend it, but don't end it.’ It's a nice phrase, but it won't come close to resolving the coast-to-coast debate.
P2. transitive. to mend matters (also, esp. in earlier use, to mend the matter): to improve the state of affairs concerning a person or thing. Frequently in negative contexts. Also used ironically.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > provide a remedy [verb (intransitive)] > put matters right
to mend matters?c1570
to mend the matter?c1570
?c1570 Buggbears i. iii, in R. W. Bond Early Plays from Italian (1911) 97 Ile go mend the matter streight.
1608 R. Armin Nest of Ninnies sig. B Iack thought hee had mended the matter, but now he was whipt indeede, and had his payment altogether.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 242 As for Mortgaging, or Pawning, it will little mend the matter.
1640 R. Brathwait Ar't Asleepe Husband? 135 What thinkest thou, Wife, if we be married againe, and see if that will mend the matter?
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. xvii. 107 I suppose they will thereby very little mend the matter, or help us to a more clear and positive Idea.
1706 E. Ward Hudibras Redivivus I. vii. 14 A potent Tribe, who are intending, Under Pretence of mending Matters, To bring us into S——sh F——rs.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 344 To mend the Matter,..it continued snowing.
1799 C. Ludger tr. A. von Kotzebue Reconciliation ii. vii. 51 I smack'd the pipe on the floor, and dash'd it to a thousand pieces: that didn't mend matters neither.
1814 J. B. Scott Diary 2 Oct. in E. Mann Englishman at Home & Abroad (1930) v. 121 To mend the matter, these notices to the people were generally written in Latin.
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 253 No one..will argue that he would at all have mended matters, had he fulfilled his promise by any act of treason.
1902 E. Wharton Let. 4 Jan. (1988) 48 Would it not be possible, by way of mending matters, to sell the book for a little less than $2?
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. v. [Lotus Eaters] 70 Talk: as if that would mend matters.
1996 Sacramento (Calif.) Bee (Nexis) 10 Mar. a2 Time has mended matters somewhat, although it can never bring those dead boys back.
P3. transitive. to mend one's pace: to travel faster; (also) to adjust one's speed, esp. to match a companion, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > increase speed
to go betc1386
to mend one's pace1592
quicken1617
echea1644
accelerate1661
swiften1839
to step on the gas1916
to pull one's finger out1919
1592 Arden of Feversham iv. iv. 72 Come, Francklin, let vs strain to mend our pace.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet v. i. 57 Your dull asse wil not mend his pace with beating. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 859 Justice Divine Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries. View more context for this quotation
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews II. iv. xii. 268 As we came up to her, she mended her Pace, and falling into Discourse with our Ladies..she continued to travel on with us. View more context for this quotation
1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 151 Judgment, however tardy, mends her pace When Obstinacy once has conquered Grace.
1824 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Oct. 442 Mr. Bubb ge-hupp'd in vain, and strove to jirk the rein, Nobbs..wouldn't mend his pace.
1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) vii, in Writings I. 66 He mended his pace, and..jerked the pony into a trot.
1911 J. Conrad Under Western Eyes i. iii. 71 He dared not say any more. Neither dared he mend his pace.
1962 I. Murdoch Unofficial Rose i. iv. 48 She slowed down, and Hugh mended his pace to hers.
P4. transitive. to mend one's hand: (a) to improve one's work or conduct; (b) = to mend one's draught at sense 11b (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] > improve or grow better
betterOE
goodOE
risec1175
mend1546
meliorize1598
to mend one's hand1611
improve1642
meliorate1655
brighten1659
ameliorate1728
to look up1806
to tone up1881
raise1898
graduate1916
to shape up1938
1611 G. Chapman May-day iii. 55 Quint. Haue you mended your hand sir. Draw. I Captaine, and if this please not your taste, either you or I cannot tast a cup of wine.
?1635 in D. Dickson Sel. Pract. Writings (1845) (modernized text) 187 It is the mark of an honest man ever to mend his hand.
1685 J. Dryden Albion & Albanius Pref. sig. (b)2v If it finds encouragement, I dare promise my self to mend my hand, by making a more pleasing Fable.
1781 C. Johnstone Hist. John Juniper I. 65 His nurse..being threatened to be turned off, if she did not mend her hand.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian v, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 115 [She] filled the fellow a large bumper... ‘Wunna ye mend your hand?’ again offering the flask.
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well I. x. 241 The remnant of this wretched estate..is too little to do one good while it is mine, though, were it sold, I could start again, and mend my hand a little.
1874 A. C. Swinburne Bothwell ii. xviii. 222 It shall be well but for a night To put our present purpose back, and see If chance or craft will mend our hand again.
1919 A. Chamberlain Let. 9 Feb. in Diary Lett. (1995) 108 We mended our hand where we had been led astray.
1927 Times 15 Sept. 13/3 During the last two or three days he has been attempting to ‘mend his hand’.
2004 Seanad Éireann: Parl. Deb. (Electronic ed.) 19 May The Minister is trying to mend his hand at five minutes to midnight, that is, on Report Stage.
P5. make or (also and) mend: see make v.1 1d.
Phrasal verbs
With adverbs in specialized senses. to mend up
1. transitive. = sense 1a. Now chiefly U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > mending or repairing > [verb (transitive)]
beetc975
menda1200
amenda1250
rightc1275
botcha1382
reparela1382
cure1382
repaira1387
dighta1400
emend1411
to mend up1479
restablishc1500
help1518
trimc1520
redub1522
reparate1548
accommodate1552
reinstaure1609
reconcinnate1623
to do up1647
righta1656
fixa1762
doctor1829
vamp1837
service1916
rejig1976
1479 Burgh Court Bk. Newburgh f. 43 Ilk man sal mend op [the] hed rois with in thre dais.
1639 in Connecticut Hist. Soc. Coll. (1897) VI. 5 All the fences..shall be mended vp.
1747 in Amer. Speech (1940) 15 228/2 I went to mamacock & Crossman Lot & mended up fence.
1833 S. Smith Life & Writings Major Jack Downing lvi. 192 They've got their clothes pretty much mended up, and they look quite tidy.
1883 Overland Monthly Dec. 625/1 Hawkins busied himself mending up our dilapidated saddles and bridles.
1926 S. B. Eppes Through Some Eventful Years i. viii. 92 The first thing Mrs. Bradford did..was to put a seamstress to work to mend up such garments as she had.
1973 T. O'Brien If I die in Combat Zone xii. 110 Can't mend up them bullet holes.
2. intransitive. U.S. regional. = sense 5b. Also: (of an animal) to gain weight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > recover or be healed [verb (intransitive)]
wholeeOE
botenc1225
cover1297
amendc1325
recovera1375
warisha1386
recovera1387
healc1390
recurec1400
soundc1402
mendc1440
convalesce1483
guarish1489
restore1494
refete?a1505
revert1531
to gather (or pick) up one's crumbs1589
cure1597
recruit1644
to perk upa1656
retrieve1675
to pick up1740
to leave one's bed1742
to sit up and take nourishment1796
to get round1798
to come round1818
to pull through1830
rally1831
to fetch round1870
to mend up1877
to pull round1889
recoup1896
recuperate1897
1877 A. Sewell Black Beauty xliv. 217 The farrier said he [sc. a horse] might mend up enough to sell for a few pounds.
1954 in Dict. Amer. Regional Eng. (1996) III. 567/1 Mend up, gain weight.
Compounds
Prefixed to nouns, to form nouns with the sense ‘a person who or (occasionally) thing which mends’, in many words (chiefly names), as mend-all, †mend-breech, mend-fault, †mend-market.
ΚΠ
1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 366 Howe syr Robert Vmgreuile brent Pebles on there market daye..and after the Scottes called hym Robyne Mendmarket.
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 35v Feare flea smock, & mendbreech, for burning their bed.
1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. ii. 76 Jacke Cade..stiling himselfe Captaine Mend-all, marcheth..to Black-heath.
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 174 The Commonwealth might better spare many famous for feats of Armes, than these Learned Mend-faults (in men, or States).
1734 B. Franklin Poor Richard's Almanack in Writings (1987) 1198 One Mend-fault is worth two Findfaults, but one Findfault is better than two Makefaults.
1958 W. Meredith Open Sea & Other Poems 13 A gold sunrise flecked with crows—Hailed as a mend-all in China.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.c1350
v.a1200- unquelled
- unquemable
- unquemably
- unqueme
- unquemefully
- unquemely
- unquenchable
- unquenchableness
- unquenchably
- unquenched
- unquert
- unquestionabilities
- unquestionability
- unquestionable
- unquestionableness
- unquestionablenesses
- unquestionably
- unquestionate
- unquestioned
- unquestionedly
- unquestioning
- unquestioningly
- unmilitarily
- unmilitary
- unmilked