Tend

[imp. & p. p. TENDED; p. pr. & vb. n. TENDING.] [Abbreviated from attend.]

1Sense 1. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard.

And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their earthly charge. Milton.

There is a pleasure in that simplicity, in beholding princes tending their flocks. Pope.

2Sense 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.

3Sense 3. (O. Eng. Law.) To make a tender of; to offer or tender. [Obs.]

To tend a vessel (Naut.), to cause her to swing at single anchor, so as not to foul the cable round the stock or flukes of the anchor. Totten.

v. i. [Lat. & It. tendere, Sp. & Pg. tender, Pr. & Fr. tendre; Gr. τείνειν, τάνυμαι, Goth. thanjan, Skr. tan.]

1Sense 1. To move in a certain direction. “Two gentlemen tending toward that sight.” Wotton.

The clouds above me to the white Alps tend. Byron.

2Sense 2. To be directed, as to any end or purpose; to aim; to have or give a leaning; to exert activity or influence.

The laws of our religion tend to the universal happiness of mankind. Tillotson.

3Sense 3. To act as a means; to contribute; as, our petitions, if granted, might tend to our destruction.

4Sense 4. To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend. [Rare.]

He tends upon my father. Shak.

5Sense 5. To await; to expect. [Obs.] Shak.