tend Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
    run; incline; lean; be given.
    • She tends to be nervous before her lectures
    • These dresses run small
    • He inclined to corpulence
  2. verb have care of or look after
    • She tends to the children
  3. verb manage or run
    • tend a store

WordNet

Tend transitive verb
Etymology
See Tender to offer.
Definitions
  1. (O. Eng. Law) To make a tender of; to offer or tender. Obs.
Tend transitive verb
Etymology
Aphetic form of attend. See Attend, Tend to move, and cf. Tender one that tends or attends.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Tended; present participle & verbal noun Tending
Definitions
  1. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds tend their flocks. Shak.
    And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their earthly charge. Milton.
    There 's not a sparrow or a wren, There 's not a blade of autumn grain, Which the four seasons do not tend And tides of life and increase lend. Emerson.
  2. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
    Being to descend A ladder much in height, I did not tend My way well down. Chapman.
Tend intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend; -- with on or upon.
    Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tend upon my father? Shak.
  2. F. attendre. To await; to expect. Obs. Shak.
Tend intransitive verb
Etymology
F. tendre, L. tendere, tensum and tentum, to stretch, extend, direct one's course, tend; akin to Gr. to stretch, Skr. tan. See Thin, and cf. Tend to attend, Contend, Intense, Ostensible, Portent, Tempt, Tender to offer, Tense, a.
Definitions
  1. To move in a certain direction; -- usually with to or towards.
    Two gentlemen tending towards that sight. Sir H. Wotton.
    Thus will this latter, as the former world, Still tend from bad to worse. Milton.
    The clouds above me to the white Alps tend. Byron.
  2. To be directed, as to any end, object, or purpose; to aim; to have or give a leaning; to exert activity or influence; to serve as a means; to contribute; as, our petitions, if granted, might tend to our destruction.
    The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. Prov. xxi. 5.
    The laws of our religion tend to the universal happiness of mankind. Tillotson.

Webster 1913