English Explanatory Dictionary

tend

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make a tender of; to offer or tender.
  2. To be likely, or probable to do something, or to have a certain habit or leaning.
  3. To contribute to or toward some outcome.
verb
  1. To look after (e.g. an ill person.)
  2. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard.
  3. To wait (upon), as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend.
  4. To await; to expect.
  5. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
  6. To manage (an anchored vessel) when the tide turns, to prevent it from entangling the cable when swinging.
verb
  1. To kindle; ignite; set on fire; light; inflame; burn.

Pronunciation

/ˈtɛnd/ /ˈtɪnd/ en-us-tend.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-tend.wav

Word forms

tend tends tending tended 'tend teend tende tind tinde teen teind tynd tynde tine

Etymology

From Middle English *tenden, from Old French tendre (“to stretch, stretch out, hold forth, offer, tender”), from Latin tendere (“to stretch, stretch out, extend, spread out”).

Synonyms

care for minister to nurse to take care of guard look after watch attend to

Related words

intend tense tension tent be given to

Derived words

tendency bartend tend bar tend to one's knitting tend to one's own knitting attend

Translations

Bulgarian: обслужвам Finnish: palvella Italian: accudire Italian: vegliare Italian: preoccuparsi
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