From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tend \Tend\, v. i. [F. tendre, L. tendere, tensum and tentum, to
stretch, extend, direct one's course, tend; akin to Gr. ? to
stretch, Skr. tan. See Thin, and cf. Tend to attend,
Contend, Intense, Ostensible, Portent, Tempt,
Tender to offer, Tense, a.]
1. To move in a certain direction; -- usually with to or
towards.
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Two gentlemen tending towards that sight. --Sir H.
Wotton.
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Thus will this latter, as the former world,
Still tend from bad to worse. --Milton.
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The clouds above me to the white Alps tend. --Byron.
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2. To be directed, as to any end, object, or purpose; to aim;
to have or give a leaning; to exert activity or influence;
to serve as a means; to contribute; as, our petitions, if
granted, might tend to our destruction.
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The thoughts of the diligent tend only to
plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only
to want. --Prov. xxi.
5.
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The laws of our religion tend to the universal
happiness of mankind. --Tillotson.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tend \Tend\, v. t. [See Tender to offer.] (O. Eng. Law)
To make a tender of; to offer or tender. [Obs.]
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tend \Tend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tended; p. pr. & vb. n.
Tending.] [Aphetic form of attend. See Attend, Tend to
move, and cf. Tender one that tends or attends.]
1. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the
wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds
tend their flocks. --Shak.
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And flaming ministers to watch and tend
Their earthly charge. --Milton.
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There 's not a sparrow or a wren,
There 's not a blade of autumn grain,
Which the four seasons do not tend
And tides of life and increase lend. --Emerson.
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2. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
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Being to descend
A ladder much in height, I did not tend
My way well down. --Chapman.
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To tend a vessel (Naut.), to manage an anchored vessel when
the tide turns, so that in swinging she shall not entangle
the cable.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tend \Tend\, v. i.
1. To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend;
-- with on or upon.
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Was he not companion with the riotous knights
That tend upon my father? --Shak.
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2. [F. attendre.] To await; to expect. [Obs.] --Shak.
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