tendn.
rare.
The action or fact of tending; aim, tendency.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > [noun] > intention or purpose
willeOE
highOE
thoughtOE
intent?c1225
achesounc1230
attenta1250
couragec1320
devicec1320
minda1325
studya1382
understanding1382
suggestionc1390
meaninga1393
i-minda1400
minta1400
tent1399
castc1400
ettlingc1400
affecta1425
advicec1425
intention1430
purposec1430
proposea1450
intendment1450
supposing?c1450
pretensionc1456
intellectionc1460
zeal1492
hest?a1513
minting?a1513
institute?1520
intendingc1525
mindfulness1530
cogitationa1538
fordrift1549
forecast1549
designing1566
tention1587
levela1591
intendiment1595
design1597
suppose1597
aim1598
regarda1616
idea1617
contemplationa1631
speculation1631
view1634
way of thinking1650
designation1658
tend1663
would1753
predetermination1764
will to art1920
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > [noun]
kinda1200
disposingc1380
disposition1393
aptc1400
hieldc1400
remotiona1425
inclination?a1439
incliningc1450
taste1477
intendment1509
benta1535
swing1538
approclivity1546
aptness1548
swinge1548
drift1549
set1567
addiction1570
disposedness1583
swaya1586
leaning1587
intention1594
inflection1597
inclinableness1608
appetite1626
vogue1626
tendency1628
tendence1632
aptitude1633
gravitation1644
propension1644
biasing1645
conducement1646
flexure1652
propendency1660
tend1663
vergencya1665
pend1674
to have a way of1748
polarity1767
appetency1802
drive1885
overleaning1896
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > [noun] > a tendency
spirita1425
inclination1526
bias?1571
vein1585
habitude1603
ply1605
nitency1662
result1663
tend1663
penchant1673
nisus1699
hank1721
squint1736
patent1836
subjectivism1845
lurch1854
biasness1872
tilt1975
1663 Marquis of Worcester Cent. Names & Scantlings Inventions A vij The taking off such Taxes or Burthens..which, I dare say, is the continual Tend of all your indefatigable pains.
1937 V. Woolf Let. 30 Apr. (1980) VI. 122 I'm very glad you saw that the tend of the book, its slope to one quarter of the compass and not another, was different from the tend in my other books.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
tendv.1
/tɛnd/, U.S. /tɛnd/ a. intransitive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen > listen to
listc897
harkc1175
to open one's earsa1200
listenc1290
to listen onc1330
tend1340
to lay to one's eara1382
attend1447
hearken to1526
to listen one's ears (or an ear) toa1533
to hear to1833
1340–70 Alisaunder 7 Tend yee tytely to mee & take goode heede.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 2542 Abram..all bad till him tendand [Vesp. tentand] be.
c1430 Hymns Virg. 99 To þe ten heestis y haue not tende Þoruȝ slouþe, wraþþe, & glotenie.
c1513 Frere & Boye sig. Ai God..gyue them good lyfe & longe That lysteneth to my songe Or tendeth to my tale.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 6 Take in the toppe-sale: Tend to th' Masters whistle. View more context for this quotation
1816 G. Muir Clydesdale Minstrelsy 61 'Tend to my plaint, ye bonny lasses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (transitive)] > listen to
listenc950
hearOE
hearkenc1000
listc1175
to-heara1250
tend1340
attenda1400
to lay ear toa1400
receivea1425
intenda1500
ear1582
exhause1599
auscultate1892
catch1906
1340–70 Alisaunder 997 Whan þis tale was tolde & tended of all.
1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 365 Tale tende we non þat turneþ to harme.
2. To turn the mind, attention, or energies; to apply oneself.† b. with infinitive. To turn one's attention, apply oneself to do something; = attend v. 4d, intend v. 9.
a. intransitive with to, unto: to attend to, look after (a thing, business, etc.); = attend v. 2, 4 Now only dialect and U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > be attentive, pay attention to [verb (intransitive)]
lookeOE
reckOE
heedOE
turna1200
beseec1200
yeme?c1225
to care forc1230
hearkenc1230
tendc1330
tentc1330
hangc1340
rewarda1382
behold1382
convert1413
advertc1425
lotec1425
resortc1450
advertise1477
mark1526
regard1526
pass1548
anchor1557
eye1592
attend1678
mind1768
face1863
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 655 Þat scheo tende to no þynge elles.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 5122 Þe Amyral..ne miȝt noȝt tendy þer-to.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 255 Sum quat to þat thing to tende [Vesp. tent] þat þai þair mede may wid amende.
c1460 Play Sacram. 195 Ye owe tenderli to tende me tylle.
1523–4 in H. Littlehales Medieval Rec. London City Church (1905) 323 For blowyng the Orgons and tendyng to the chirch euery sonday, to haue ij d.
1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad 39 I got to 'tend to business.
1901 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 678 Some folks..cassn't be satisfite wi' 'tendin' to their own [business].
1901 J. Prior Forest Folk ii. 14 To let me tend to the commoners first.
1917 G. B. McCutcheon Green Fancy 68 They..paid their bills regular, 'tended to their own business, and that's all.
1930 W. Faulkner As I lay Dying 57 You got to wait a little while. Then I'll tend to you.
1936 M. Mitchell Gone with the Wind x. 197 If anybody dares say one little word about you, I'll tend to them.
1975 A. Davis Autobiogr. v. 309 The men's linens and jail clothes were sent elsewhere for laundering; the women were expected to tend to their own.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > be occupied or busy (in or at something) [verb (intransitive)] > devote or apply oneself to something > apply oneself to do something
tendc1330
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 14100 Þey tenden nought hem self to fende.
1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 846 Ȝe tende nauht to tulye þe erþe.
1623 R. Whitbourne Disc. New-found-land 82 Three men may fetch a-land salt, and tend to wash fish, and dry the same.
1682 J. Bunyan Greatness of Soul in Wks. (1853) I. 136 He could tend to do nothing but to find out how to be clothed in purple and fine-linen.
a1688 J. Bunyan Acceptable Sacrifice in Wks. (1853) I. 691 There is none else that either understand or that can tend to hearken to Him... But now the broken in heart can tend it.
c. transitive. To attend to, mind (a thing); = attend v. 4, intend v. 12. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)]
lookeOE
heeda1225
recka1225
intendc1374
curec1384
observec1390
fandc1425
to see unto ——a1470
wake1525
regard1526
tend1549
study1557
foresee1565
beware1566
to have the care of1579
reckon1622
mind1740
1549 T. Chaloner tr. Erasmus Praise of Folie sig. Oij How many princes..dooe..onely tende theyr owne pleasure.
1594 R. Barnfield Affectionate Shepheard ii. lvi. sig. Diij Speake ill of no man, tend thine owne affaires.
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule of Holy Living (1727) iv. §6. 224 We rest also that we may tend holy duties.
a1771 T. Gray Agrippina in Poems (1775) 128 To tend Her household cares, a woman's best employment.
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. i. 11 Your business..will be best tended in this way.
1867 J. Kavanagh Sybil's Second Love I. i. 1 Tending the fire.
3.
a. transitive. To apply oneself to the care and service of (a person); now esp. to watch over and wait upon, to minister to (the sick or helpless); = attend v. 6, intend v. 11b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after > specifically a person
governa1393
tend1490
minister1908
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxv. 539 I..praye you that ye tende well my children.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xviii. 520 Jeoly..had been sick for 3 months: in all which time I tended him as carefully, as if he had been my Brother.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) ii. 15 Our humbler Province is to tend the Fair.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 99 Nurses, to tend those that were sick.
1805 W. Scott Lay of Last Minstrel Introd. 5 That they should tend the old man well.
b. To have the care and oversight of; to take charge of, look after (a flock, herd, etc.); = attend v. 5. Said also (now dialect and U.S.) of a shop, toll-gate, bridge, etc., and (U.S.) in to tend bar (cf. bartender n.). Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > have charge of
redeOE
steer13..
agyea1450
rulea1500
tend?1521
to have, take, give (the) charge of1611
work1841
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)]
hold971
yemeOE
biwitc1000
keepa1325
wait1362
tentc1400
attendc1420
to take guard1426
tend?1521
to have the care of1579
to have, take, give (the) charge of1611
mind1640
to have, take in charge1665
tutor1682
attend1796
shepherda1822
mother1851
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care or protect [verb (intransitive)]
yemeOE
to do for ——?a1300
tend1809
?1521 A. Barclay Bk. Codrus & Mynalcas sig. Aivv Nedes must a shepherd, bestowe his hole labour In tendyng his flockes.
1602 S. Rowlands Tis Merrie 16 My Husband's forth, our Shoppe must needes be tended.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) ii. v. 31 So many Houres, must I tend my Flocke. View more context for this quotation
1712 A. Pope tr. Ovid Sapho to Phaon in tr. Ovid Epist. (ed. 8) 12 Bid Endymion nightly tend his Sheep.
1809 A. Putnam in Danvers Hist. Soc. Coll. (1918) VI. 15 My brother has hired Asa Fletcher a young fellow of my age, who has been tending for Mr. Marcy.
1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present iv. i. 336 Gurth could only tend pigs.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 359 The horses had been ill fed and ill tended among the Grampians.
1870 ‘M. Twain’ in Galaxy Nov. 726/2 Tending bar, and reporting for the newspapers.
1889 J. S. Farmer Americanisms (at cited word) Shops, stores, and businesses of every description are in America tended and not kept.
1959 Washington Post 9 Dec. a7/3 Nixon is staying in Washington to help tend the store while the President is away on his 3-week tour.
1978 Detroit Free Press 2 Apr. 4 c/3 In 1976, he tended bar and sold swimming pools and encyclopedias.
c. To bestow attention upon, attend to; esp. to foster, cultivate (a plant, etc.); to work or mind (a pump, a machine, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > cultivate plants or crops [verb (transitive)]
tilla1325
raisec1384
uprearc1400
nourisha1500
cherish1519
dig1526
dress1526
govern1532
manure?c1550
rear1581
nurse1594
tame1601
crop1607
cultive1614
cultivate1622
ingentle1622
tend1631
make1714
peck1728
grow1774
farm1793
culture1809
side-dress1888
double-crop1956
produce2006
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after
yknowOE
knowlOE
to care forc1230
bihedec1250
beseec1300
to look to ——c1300
seea1325
await1393
observea1425
procurea1425
to look after ——1487
to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500
regard1526
to see after ——1544
to look unto ——1545
attendc1572
to take care of1579
curea1618
tend1631
to look over ——1670
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. §95. 367 By peace..gardens, vineyards, and other like fruitfull places [are] tended.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 206 Well may we labour still to dress This Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flour. View more context for this quotation
1703 London Gaz. No. 3915/3 The Men..not being able to tend the Pumps, she sunk.
1838 T. Arnold Hist. Rome I. xi. 203 This Lucius Quinctius let his hair grow, and tended it carefully.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. x. 236 He..tended the graves hewn in the living stone.
1885 S. Cox Expos. xxix. 386 Always seeking to multiply the seed they sow and tend.
4.
a. To wait upon as attendant or servant; to attend on; to escort, follow, or accompany for the purpose of rendering service or giving assistance; = attend v. 7. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > attend upon as servant [verb (transitive)]
serveeOE
asservec1330
waitc1384
await1393
tenda1400
attend1469
intendc1500
a1400–50 Alexander 4534 Appollo with a quite swan is paid him to tende.
?c1500 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 418 It is ordered..that the new Mayor tenne the old Mayor at his owne house and goe home with the sword before him.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Richard III (1623) iv. i. 92 Go thou to Richard, and good Angels tend [1597 garde] thee.
a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Faire Maide of Inne ii. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Eeeeeee4/1 By your leave sir, ile tend my Master, and instantly bee with you.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 270 The Man that tended the Carpenter, had a great Iron Laddle in his Hand.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) A mason's labourer always describes his work ‘I do tend masons’.
b. intransitive. To attend on or upon; spec. to wait at table; = attend v. 7b, 7c. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > attend as servant [verb (intransitive)]
followeOE
to stand before ——OE
wait1526
to wait attendancea1593
attenda1616
tenda1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. ii. 308 Three-fold Vengeance tend vpon your steps. View more context for this quotation
a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 123 The bridgroome and the bride brothers or freinds tende att dinner.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 41 Not [to] expect till Elisha tend upon him.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 125 I tend on them to fetch Things for them.
1818 M. W. Shelley Frankenstein I. i. 47 I loved to tend on her.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 94 And Enid tended on him there.
5. transitive. To give one's presence at (a meeting, ceremony, etc.); = attend v. 12. Now dialect and U.S. Also intransitive with †of (obsolete), on (dialect).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > be present at [verb (transitive)] > be present at (a proceeding or meeting)
tend1460
to make one1542
frequent1555
assist1603
attend1646
to sit in1919
1460–1 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1460 375/1 So that the seid Waulter may tende daily of this youre Parlement, as his dute is to doo.
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 375 Scipio..tended playes, commedies, and wrestlinges.
a1818 H. Macneill Poet. Wks. (1856) 220 Our lads are doing little but tending the drill!
18.. Maj. Jones's Trav. Most of the passengers..had been up to Augusta to tend the convention.
1890 Dial. Notes 1 22 One ‘tends out on’ church, ‘tends out on’ the public library.
1901 E. G. Hayden Trav. round Village x. 168 I 'tends church reg'lar!
6. † b. absol. or intransitive. To wait in expectation or readiness; = attend v. 16. Obsolete.
a. transitive †To wait for, await; to look out for expectantly; = attend v. 13; also, to watch, observe (obsolete); in dialect use, to watch for and scare away (birds), = tent v.1 6.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)]
bidec950
keepc1000
abideOE
i-kepe?c1225
lookc1225
bidea1300
sustainc1350
await1393
remainc1455
tarry?a1475
attenda1513
expect1536
to stay on1540
watch1578
remain1585
staya1586
to stay for ——1602
tend1604
to bide upona1616
behold1642
prestolate1653
expecta1664
wait1746
1604 T. Wright Passions of Minde (new ed.) v. §3. 182 Then tend thy turne, when neighbors housen burne.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. ii. xiv. 85 Tending the Sun until he be upon the Meridian.
1675 J. Bunyan Light in Darkness 178 Now the Soul can tend to look about it, and thus consider with it self.
1818 J. Keats Endymion ii. 62 By all the stars That tend thy bidding.
1875 W. D. Parish Dict. Sussex Dial. (at cited word) He goos to work rook-tending, and he comes home of nights that hoarse that you can't hardly hear him speak.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] > expectantly
muse?c1450
tend1604
to wait around1879
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 83 The time inuests you goe, your seruants tend . View more context for this quotation
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. iii. 44 The Barck is ready, and the wind at helpe, Th' associats tend.
7. To have it in the mind as a purpose to do something; = intend v. 18 (Cf. attend v. IV.) Obsolete exc. dialect. (After 1500 chiefly Scottish)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > intend [verb] > intend to do something
weenOE
willOE
thinkOE
tightc1300
to be (later also to have it) in purpose1340
tend1340
cast138.
reckona1450
aimc1450
willc1450
esteema1533
suspect1629
predeterminea1641
1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 1128 Now tende we to touche more of þis tale.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 128 We tende & purpose to gyue bataylle to the Sawdan.
1525 Sc. Acts Jas. V (1814) II. 293/2 I neuir as ȝit did hir grace ony harme..nor neuer tendis to do.
1580 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1880) 1st Ser. III. 291 Tending..to be fugitive fra the law.
a1615 Balnagown MS in W. R. Baillie Breve Cron. Earlis of Ross (1850) 6 The sepulture of his fathers, quhair he tendit to be buryed.
1897 R. M. Gilchrist Peakland Faggot 95 I'm tendin' to do well for them.
1900 N. Lloyd Chronic Loafer i. 13 [U.S.] I didn't 'tend to open it.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)]
yknoweOE
acknowOE
anyeteOE
latchc1000
undernimc1000
understandc1000
underyetec1000
afindOE
knowOE
seeOE
onfangc1175
takec1175
underfindc1200
underfonga1300
undertakea1300
kenc1330
gripea1340
comprehend1340
comprendc1374
espyc1374
perceivea1387
to take for ——?1387
catcha1398
conceivea1398
intenda1400
overtakea1400
tenda1400
havec1405
henta1450
comprise1477
skilla1500
brook1548
apprend1567
compass1576
perstanda1577
endue1590
sound1592
engrasp1593
in1603
fathom1611
resent1614
receivea1616
to take up1617
apprehend1631
to take in1646
grasp1680
understumblec1681
forstand1682
savvy1686
overstand1699
uptake1726
nouse1779
twig1815
undercumstand1824
absorb1840
sense1844
undercumstumble1854
seize1855
intelligize1865
dig1935
read1956
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 21803 Qua-sim þis tale can beter tende [Vesp. a-tend] for cristis loue he hit amende.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 434 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 108 The siluer in ye samyn half trewly to tend Is cleir corage in armes.
Derivatives
ˈtending n.1 and adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > [noun] > action of serving
ministrationc1384
ministryc1384
servingc1400
tendinga1616
administration1676
ministering1828
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [adjective] > looking after
nursing1597
tendfula1697
tending1816
mothering1855
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. v. 36 One of my fellowes..almost dead for breath..Giue him tending, He brings great newes.
1816 T. Chalmers Let. in W. Hanna Mem. T. Chalmers (1850) II. iv. 81 The shrubbery, in absence of the tending hand, had become a tangled wilderness.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. viii. 67 In its tending of the sick.
1909 Lady's Realm Feb. 466/1 The large log-house..and the tending slaves.
tending-string n. a leading-string.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > lead
stringa1300
banda1400
head rope1810
tending-string1821
lead-rope1846
leading-string1859
jerk line1865
guy rein1869
headline1889
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 73 The cowboy..Leading tam'd cattle in their tending-strings.
tending boy n. a boy employed to ‘tend’ or scare birds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > [noun] > driving away birds > bird-scarer
crow-keeper1562
field keeper1620
bird-boy1786
crow-herd1805
bird-minder1828
crow-minder1837
rook-boy1856
crow-boy1868
tenting-lad1877
tent-boy1888
tending boy1898
scarer1930
1898 Agric. Gaz. 7 Mar. 276/3 I am dressing the seed with tar, otherwise tending boys would be at a premium.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
tendv.2
/tɛnd/, U.S. /tɛnd/ I. To have a motion or disposition to move towards, and derived senses. [= Old French tendre (11th cent.), Latin tendĕre intransitive.]
1. intransitive. To direct one's course, make one's way, move or proceed towards something.
a. literal of persons or things in motion. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)]
nimeOE
becomec885
teec888
goeOE
i-goc900
lithec900
wendeOE
i-farec950
yongc950
to wend one's streetOE
fare971
i-wende971
shakeOE
winda1000
meteOE
wendOE
strikec1175
seekc1200
wevec1200
drawa1225
stira1225
glidea1275
kenc1275
movec1275
teemc1275
tightc1275
till1297
chevec1300
strake13..
travelc1300
choosec1320
to choose one's gatea1325
journeyc1330
reachc1330
repairc1330
wisec1330
cairc1340
covera1375
dressa1375
passa1375
tenda1375
puta1382
proceedc1392
doa1400
fanda1400
haunta1400
snya1400
take?a1400
thrilla1400
trace?a1400
trinea1400
fangc1400
to make (also have) resortc1425
to make one's repair (to)c1425
resort1429
ayrec1440
havea1450
speer?c1450
rokec1475
wina1500
hent1508
persevere?1521
pursuec1540
rechec1540
yede1563
bing1567
march1568
to go one's ways1581
groyl1582
yode1587
sally1590
track1590
way1596
frame1609
trickle1629
recur1654
wag1684
fadge1694
haul1802
hike1809
to get around1849
riddle1856
bat1867
biff1923
truck1925
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1781 To me tended þei nouȝt, but tok forþ here wey wilfulli to sum wildernesse.
1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 10797 Wheder that euery goode Pylgryme Tendyth in his pylgrymage.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 110 Tending to ane vther place, A iournay going everie day.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 183 Thither let us tend From off the tossing of these fiery waves. View more context for this quotation
1745 Paraphr. Sc. Ch. xxvii. xi As the Rains from Heaven distil Nor thither tend again.
b. Of a road, course, journey, series of things.
ΘΠ
the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)]
goeOE
wendOE
runOE
stretchc1400
strike1456
extend1481
point?1518
address1523
passc1550
tend1574
trend1598
conduce1624
direct1665
verge1726
shape1769
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > be directed (of course or journey)
tend1574
1574 Calr. Scott. Papers V. 9 Leith wes his port quhair~unto his course teindit.
1700 Moxon's Mech. Exercises: Bricklayers-wks. 19 Arches..whose Joints tend to the Center.
1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 80 A green lane..tended towards a square, gray tower.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxv. 426 There was a sort of tacit understanding that their voyage should tend in that direction.
c. intransitive. To have a natural inclination to move (in some direction). (Cf. 2, 3.)
ΘΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > move in a certain direction [verb (intransitive)]
goeOE
wendOE
makeOE
aim?a1400
to make one's waya1425
reflect1547
work1566
to make up1596
path1597
sway1600
tend1648
vergea1661
steer1693
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] > go in a certain direction > of things
tend1648
1648 Bp. J. Wilkins Math. Magick i. ii. 12 Whereby condensed bodies do of themselves tend downwards.
1715 A. Pope Temple of Fame 37 As weighty Bodies to the Center tend.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations II. iv. vii. 247 That part of the capital of any country which..tended and inclined, if I may say so, towards the East India trade. View more context for this quotation
1828 O. Gregory Hutton's Course Math. (ed. 9) II. 140 The power or force in moving bodies, by which they continually tend from their present places.
1834 M. Somerville On Connexion Physical Sci. (1849) xxxvii. 432 Though the stars in every region of the sky tend towards a point in Hercules.
2. figurative.
a. intransitive. To have a disposition to advance, go on, come finally, or attain to (unto, towards) some point in time, degree, quality, state, or other non-material category; to be drawn to or towards in affection.
ΘΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)]
wryc888
driveOE
drawc1175
rine?c1225
soundc1374
tendc1374
lean1398
clinea1400
movec1450
turnc1450
recline?a1475
covet1520
intend?1521
extenda1533
decline?1541
bow1562
bend1567
follow1572
inflecta1575
incline1584
warpa1592
to draw near1597
squint1599
nod1600
propend1605
looka1616
verge1664
gravitate1673
set1778
slant1850
trend1863
tilt1967
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Cambr.) i. pr. vi. 17 Remembres thow..whider þat the entensy[o]n of alle kynde tendeth?
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) lv. 238 Whenne I saide þat oþer was thi childe, þou tendeist al to him, and dispisidist þat oþere.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Specto.., to behold,..to tende to some conclusion.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 127 b Nature alwaies tendeth to the best.
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Creed (1839) 110 Towards the setting of the sun, when the light of the world was tending unto a night of darkness.
1776 E. Burke Corr. (1844) II. 96 It is to this point all their speeches, writings, and intrigues of all sorts, tend.
1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 498 The trust, being expressly limited for life, the same did not tend to a perpetuity.
1893 J. A. Hodges Elem. Photogr. (1907) 157 Their use..certainly tends in the direction of uniformity.
b. tending to, approaching (in quality, colour, etc.); having a tendency to.
ΘΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > [adjective] > inclined
set13..
tendenta1340
disposedc1380
enclinant1400
inclining?c1400
inclinedc1405
prone1408
hieldingc1480
talenteda1500
inclinablea1513
prone1528
propense1528
minded1529
propensed1530
ready1533
proclivec1540
fit1574
tending to1578
forward1581
minded1588
propensive1599
intense1620
propendenta1646
propended1693
calculated1723
oriented1925
prone1926
turned1931
orientated1964
1578 G. Best True Disc. Passage to Cathaya i. 27 A temperate ayre rather tending to colde.
1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 18 A faire and broad leafe, in colour tending to a greenish yellow.
3.
a. intransitive. To have a specified result, if allowed to act; to lead or conduce to some state or condition. Const. to, rarely against.
ΘΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (intransitive)] > lead or conduce to
teemc1275
conduct1481
rixlec1540
tend1560
to conduce to1586
shapea1616
to go far to1668
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (transitive)] > tend, lead, or conduce to
forwenda1325
tend1560
sway1570
affect1612
to trench on or upon1622
apta1640
predeterminea1667
to go far to1668
to run into ——1753
orient1952
tilt1976
1560 Bible (Geneva) Prov. x. 16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 289 The place doth not greatly tend vnto tranquillity.
1729 W. Law Serious Call xxii. 441 [Not to] do any thing to us, but what certainly tended to our benefit.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) IV. 558 The register acts would tend much more to the security of purchasers and mortgagees..if it were established [etc.].
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. i. iii. 34 To indulge in despair as a habit..manifestly tends against nature.
1874 F. W. Farrar Silence & Voices of God ii. 35 We know that righteousness tendeth to life.
b. To lead or conduce to some action.
(a) Const. to with noun of action.
Π
1565 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 36 Tending to the furthsetting of thair Majesteis autoritie.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxiii. 126 Other acts tending to the conservation of the Peace.
1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. xv. 422 Such declaration cannot now tend to the reformation of the parties.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iv. 484 None of them said anything tending to his vindication.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People ii. §5. 82 The King's reforms tended directly to the increase of the royal power.
(b) Const. to with infinitive. Now usually in weakened sense: To have a tendency, to be apt or inclined.
ΘΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] > be conducive or tend to an end
pretend1402
stretchc1412
conduct1481
to conduce to1586
terminate1587
shapea1616
determine1651
minister1696
tend1936
1604 F. Bacon Apol. in Wks. (1879) I. 436 A sonnet directly tending and alluding to draw on her Majesty's reconcilement to my lord.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. iv. §10 It may further tend to clear the truth of the Scriptures.
1710 London Gaz. No. 4688/2 All the..Warlike Preparations..tended only to amuse the King of Sweden.
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 4 337 If they tend in the least to diminish the sufferings of the child.
1851 W. B. Carpenter Man. Physiol. (ed. 2) 378 It tends to undergo a rapid and complete degeneration.
1879 M. Arnold Democracy in Mixed Ess. 10 To live in a society of equals tends..to make a man's spirits expand.
1936 J. Cary Afr. Witch ii. 38 Obstinacy and stupidity are things that tend to annoy quick-minded and intelligent people.
1956 H. L. Mencken Minority Rep. 251 Unfortunately, the machine thus devised to halt heresy also tends to halt progress.
1976 M. Machlin Pipeline xxxiii. 372 After the initial uproar over the Wainwright raid, the papers tended to ignore it.
1981 Daily Tel. 26 Aug. 11/2 She went to Oxford to read English. ‘I didn't really want to, but I tended to do what my parents advised then.’
4. Nautical.
a. Of a ship at anchor: To swing round with the turn of the tide or wind.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > swing (in specific way) at anchor
twive1576
to wind up1633
tend1769
to break her sheer1794
tail1849
1769 [see tending n.2 at Derivatives].
1773 J. Hawkesworth Acct. Voy. Southern Hemisphere III. iii. ix. 651 In the mean time, as the ship tended, I weighed anchor.
1776 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Tending, the movement by which a ship turns or swings round her anchor in a tide-way, at the beginning of the flood or ebb.
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship II. 299 The ship begins to tend to leeward.
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Tend..to swing round an anchor, as a ship.
1867 [see tending n.2 at Derivatives]. b. transitive (apparently a causal use of preceding; in quot. 1867, erroneously associated with tend v.1 6).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > berth, moor, or anchor (a ship) [verb (transitive)] > anchor (a ship) > keep (ship) at anchor > keep with tide to leeward of anchor
tend1794
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship II. 300 To tend a ship for a weather tide. The simplest way of tending a ship, is to keep each tide to leeward of her anchor.
1815 W. Burney Falconer's New Universal Dict. Marine (rev. ed.) 553/1 To Tend, is to turn or swing a ship round when at single anchor, or moored by the head in a tide-way, at the beginning of the flood or ebb.
1815 W. Burney Falconer's New Universal Dict. Marine (rev. ed.) (at cited word) To tend a ship with the wind a few points across the tide.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Tend, to watch a vessel at anchor on the turn of a tide, and cast her by the helm, and some sail if necessary, so as to keep the cable clear of the anchor or turns out of her cables when moored.
II. [= French tendre.] † 5. † 6. intransitive. To extend, stretch, or reach (to a point, or in a particular direction). Also figurative. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To offer, proffer; spec. in Law = tender v.1 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)]
i-bedea800
bidOE
make?a1160
forthc1200
bihedec1275
proffera1325
yielda1382
dressc1384
to serve fortha1393
dight1393
pretend1398
nurnc1400
offerc1425
profita1450
tent1459
tend1475
exhibit1490
propine1512
presentc1515
oblate1548
pretence1548
defer?1551
to hold forth1560
prefer1567
delatea1575
to give forth1584
tender1587
oppose1598
to hold out1611
shore1787
1475 Rolls of Parl. VI. 148/1 Uppon the same Travers tended, or title shewed.
1483–4 Act 1 Rich. III c. 6 §1 The seid defendaunt..may..tende an issue [Fr. de tendre issue], that the same contract..was not..made within the feire tyme.
1529 Act 21 Hen. VIII c. 5 §1 Suche testament beyng laufully tended or offred to them to be proved.
b. To furnish, provide, supply; to reach or hand (a thing) to some one. Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)]
affordOE
findOE
purveyc1300
chevise1340
ministera1382
upholda1417
supply1456
suppeditate1535
perfurnishc1540
previse1543
subminister1576
tend1578
fourd1581
instaurate1583
to find out1600
suffice1626
subministrate1633
affurnisha1641
apply1747
to stump up1833
to lay on1845
to come up with1858
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 51v Dillygent in tending and prouiding all thinges necessarye.
1882 F. W. P. Jago Anc. Lang. & Dial. Cornwall (at cited word) One boy tended the stones as the other threw them at the apples.
ΘΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend in space [verb (intransitive)] > extend in a certain direction
liec1000
shootc1000
drawc1180
stretcha1387
streek1388
bear1556
trend1598
tend1604
take1610
to make out1743
to put out1755
trench1768
make1787
the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > immateriality > become immaterial [verb (intransitive)] > extend or reach (of immaterial things)
goOE
tend1604
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies vi. vi. 444 All the knowledge of the Chinois, tendes only to reade and write, and no farther.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 223 That huge tract of Land, which tendeth from Cape Aguer, to Cape Guardafu.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 159 The Land tending to the West.
III. [Later senses from French tendre and Latin tendĕre.] † 7. transitive. To stretch, make tense or taut; to set (a trap, snare, etc.). Obsolete.† 8. To bend or direct (one's steps): cf. Latin tendere gressum, passus. Obsolete.† 9. To relate or refer to; to concern. (transitive, or intransitive with to.) Obsolete.
ΘΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [verb (transitive)] > make taut
stretcha1387
bracec1440
wrench1577
span1598
tend1646
span1650
screw1657
tauten1777
tensify1869
tense1884
tension1891
1646 H. Lawrence Of Communion & Warre with Angels 45 Their nets are alwayes spread; they tende their snares alwayes.
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 289 The longer, or less tended, any string is, the farther it moves.
1800 T. Young in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 90 134 It may be proved, that every impulse is communicated along a tended chord with an uniform velocity.
1834 M. Somerville On Connexion Physical Sci. (1849) xvii. 164 A body vibrating near insulated tended strings.
ΘΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct (one's course, steps, etc.) [verb (transitive)]
stretcha1225
turnc1275
ready?a1400
seta1400
incline?c1400
apply?a1425
raika1500
rechec1540
make1548
address1554
frame1576
bend1579
to shape one's course1593
intend1596
tend1611
direct1632
steer1815
1611 B. Rich Honestie of Age (1844) 17 Whether will you tend your steppes.
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) iii. 14 Both tend Their paces to the self-same Journies end.
ΘΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate or connect [verb (intransitive)] > refer or relate
returna1393
referc1405
regard1525
tend1571
relate1609
reflect1617
advert1765
1571 Sir R. Lane in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 224 I have received your letter with a packet... The matter which they do tend indeed requireth speed.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Isocrates in Panoplie Epist. 156 My taulke tendeth to matters of such moment and weight.
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 313 The rule foregoing tended onely to freemen and their Lands.
1654 A. Marvell Let. 2 June in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 305 Which I attributed to our Despatch, and some other Businesse tending thereto.
Derivatives
ˈtending n.2 Nautical in quots. 1769, 1867.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [noun] > relation to something or reference
respitea1382
beholdingc1449
respect1485
aspect1509
regardc1520
reference1581
referrance1583
tending1587
reflection1614
intuition1626
concernment1640
concerning1642
tendency1651
influence1672
re1707
view1719
bearing1741
ref1845
concern1863
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [noun] > riding at anchor > swinging
tending1587
wind-rode1635
winding1639
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. ii. 20 The whole worlde and all things conteyned therein, doe by their tending vnto vs, teach vs to tend vnto one alone.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Tending, the movement by which a ship turns or swings round her anchor in a tide-way, at the beginning of the flood or ebb.
1846 D. King Treat. Lord's Supper vi. 175 It is all outward in its tendings.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Tending, the movement by which a ship turns or swings round when at single anchor, or moored by the head, at every change of tide or wind.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1663
v.1c1330v.2a1375- to take to lead
- to take to marriage
- to take to matrimony
- to take to memory
- to take to mercy
- to take to one side
- to take to one's bed
- to take to one's bosom
- to take to one's feet
- to take to one's fere or unto one's fere
- to take to one's foot
- to take to one's heart
- to take to one's heels
- to take to one's legs
- to take to one's parable
- to take to one's scrapers
- to take to or hit the silk
- to take to pieces
- to take to pledge
- to steer small
- to stem back
- to stem one's course
- to stencil out
- to step and
- to step aside