tend

¹

[tend]

verb (used without object)

1. to be disposed or inclined in action, operation, or effect to do something.

   The particles tend to unite.

2. to be disposed toward an idea, emotion, way of thinking, etc..

   He tends to be overly optimistic.

   Her religious philosophy tends toward pantheism.

3. to lead or conduce, as to some result or resulting condition.

   measures tending to improved working conditions;

   Governments are tending toward democracy.

4. to be inclined to or have a tendency toward a particular quality, state, or degree.

   This wine tends toward the sweet side.

5. (of a journey, course, road, etc.) to lead or be directed in a particular direction (usually followed by to, toward, etc.).

   a path tending toward the beach.

tend

²

[tend]

verb (used with object)

1. to attend to by work or services, care, etc..

   to tend a fire.

2. to look after; watch over and care for; minister to or wait on with service.

   to tend the sick.

3. Nautical.,  to handle or attend to (a rope).

verb (used without object)

1. to attend by action, care, etc. (usually followed byto ).

verb phrase

1. tend on / upon,  to attend or wait upon; minister to; serve.

   She tended on the sick and dying with infinite compassion.

tend

¹

/ tɛnd /

verb

1. (tr) to care for

   to tend wounded soldiers

2. to attend (to)

   to tend to someone's needs

3. (tr) to handle or control

   to tend a fire

4. informal,  to pay attention

tend

²

/ tɛnd /

verb

1. (when tr, takes an infinitive) to have a general disposition (to do something); be inclined

   children tend to prefer sweets to meat

2. (intr) to have or be an influence (towards a specific result); be conducive

   the party atmosphere tends to hilarity

3. (intr) to go or move (in a particular direction)

   to tend to the south

Word History and Origins

Origin of tend¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tenden, from Middle French tendre, from Latin tendere “to stretch, extend, proceed”

Origin of tend²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tenden, shortening of attend

Word History and Origins

Origin of tend¹

C14: variant of _attend

Origin of tend²

C14: from Old French tendre, from Latin tendere to stretch

Example Sentences

Jurors, he said, already tended to be reluctant to put a lot of liability on government defendants.

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Fixed-income investors tend to be attracted to junk bonds because of their fat yields, which are much higher than other bonds to compensate for lower credit quality and greater credit risks.

Read more on Barron's

People tend to put off big projects that cost a fair amount of money when they worry more about the economy, or if they fear they might lose their job.

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Walking into the street, she chose instead to tend to an injured horse.

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Because of changes in vertical wind shear -- the variation in wind speed and direction high in the atmosphere -- La Nina tends to bring more hurricanes in the Atlantic basin and fewer in the Pacific.

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Related Words

• cultivate 
• do 
• feed 
• keep 
• look after 
• maintain 
• manage 
• protect 
• take care of 
• watch