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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Tend

Tĕnd, v. t.

verbtransitive

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

Sense 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.

Sense 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.

Sense 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.

Tĕnd, v. i.

verbintransitive

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

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

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

Sense 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.

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

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

He tends upon my father. Shak.

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