wend

¹ American  

[wend] / wɛnd /

verb (used with object)

wended, went, wending

1. to pursue or direct (one's way).

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verb (used without object)

wended, went, wending

1. to proceed or go.

Wend ² American  

[wend] / wɛnd /

noun

1. a member of a Slavic people of E Germany; Sorb.

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Wend ¹ British  

/ wɛnd /

noun

1. (esp in medieval European history) a Sorb; a member of the Slavonic people who inhabited the area between the Rivers Saale and Oder in the early Middle Ages and were conquered by Germanic invaders by the 12th century See also Lusatia

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wend ² British  

/ wɛnd /

verb

1. to direct (one's course or way); travel

   wend one's way home

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Etymology

Origin of wend¹

before 900; Middle English wenden, Old English wendan; cognate with Dutch, German wenden, Gothic wandjan, causative of -windan to wind ²

Origin of Wend²

1780–90; < German Wende, Old High German Winida; cognate with Old English Winedas (plural)

Example Sentences

Thin ribbons of silky scrambled egg, cut from an egg crêpe, wend their way through the dish, too, and you can order another protein à la phad Thai, but you don’t need to.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 26, 2023

The Afghans wend through about a dozen countries, for months or longer.

From New York Times • May 21, 2023

Currently, most designs for Arctic shipping routes have vessels sticking close to the edge of the ice as they wend their way through the sea.

From Scientific American • May 1, 2023

Recently, however, I once again came across a figure from the McCarthy era who did indeed notice, but bear with me as I slowly wend my way toward him.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2023

“I was never your father nor of your blood, but I wote well ye are of an higher blood than I wend ye were.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• meander
• saunter