amend
[uh-mend]
- to alter, modify, rephrase, or add to or subtract from (a motion, bill, constitution, etc.) by formal procedure: Congress may amend the proposed tax bill.
- to change for the better; improve: to amend one's ways.
- to remove or correct faults in; rectify.
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- to grow or become better by reforming oneself: He amends day by day.
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Origin of amend
1175–1225; Middle English amenden < Old French amender < Latin ēmendāre “to correct,” equivalent to ē- e-1 + mend(a) “blemish” + -āre infinitive suffix
Synonym study
3. Amend, emend both mean to improve by correcting or by freeing from error. Amend is the general term, used of any such correction in detail: to amend spelling, punctuation, grammar. Emend usually applies to the correction of a text in the process of editing or preparing for publication; it implies improvement in the sense of greater accuracy: He emended the text of the play by restoring the original reading.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for amending
Contemporary Examples
So what the anti-Citizens United movement really needs to do is something even harder than amending the Constitution.
Here's one amending a surprising quote from the editor of The New Yorker.
Best New York Times Corrections Ever: 'The Shining,' Twilight Sparkle & MoreJosh Dzieza
February 3, 2012
Hatch is found guilty of violating his probation by not amending his tax returns or paying his taxes.
“Any talk of amending the Constitution is just wrong,” she said in a White House press briefing.
The problem with both these solutions is that they depend on amending the Constitution.
Historical Examples
Amending his phrase, he said: "But for him, things would have been very different!"
Casanova's HomecomingArthur Schnitzler
"I mean, to see a visitor," said Mrs. Latouche, amending her phrase.
Four MeetingsHenry James
They also had power to call a convention for amending the constitution.
The Spirit of American GovernmentJ. Allen Smith
It was an indoor job, they declared, amending their first opinion.
Anthony Trent, Master CriminalWyndham Martyn
Yes; I would do it by amending this section in three places, very simply, if the stenographer will take this down.
amend
- to improve; change for the better
- to remove faults from; correct
- to alter or revise (legislation, a constitution, etc) by formal procedure
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French amender, from Latin ēmendāre to emend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for amending
amend
v.
early 13c., "to free from faults, rectify," from Old French amender (12c.), from Latin emendare "to correct, free from fault," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + menda "fault, blemish," from PIE *mend- "physical defect, fault" (cf. Sanskrit minda "physical blemish," Old Irish mennar "stain, blemish," Welsh mann "sign, mark").
Supplanted in senses of "repair, cure" by its shortened offspring mend (v.). Meaning "to add to legislation" (ostensibly to correct or improve it) is recorded from 1777. Related: Amended; amending.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper