mend
B1Meanings
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1
noun
sewing that repairs a worn or torn hole, especially in a garment
The stockings had several mends.
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2
verb
heal or recover
My broken leg is mending
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3
verb
To physically repair (something that is broken, defaced, decayed, torn, or otherwise damaged).
My trousers have a big rip in them and need mending.
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4
verb
To add fuel to (a fire).
[I]n, you Rogue, and vvipe the pigges, and mend the fire, that they fall not, or I'le both baſte and roaſt you, till your eyes drop out, like 'hem.
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5
verb
To correct or put right (an error, a fault, etc.); to rectify, to remedy.
Dro[mio of Syracuse]. […] [S]he ſvveats a man may goe ouer-ſhooes in the grime of it. / Anti[pholus of Syracuse]. That's a fault that vvater vvill mend.
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6
verb
To put (something) in a better state; to ameliorate, to improve, to reform, to set right.
Her stutter was mended by a speech therapist.
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7
verb
To remove fault or sin from (someone, or their behaviour or character); to improve morally, to reform.
Youle not endure him, god ſhall mend my ſoule, / Youle make a mutinie among my gueſts: […]
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8
verb
In mend one's pace: to adjust (a pace or speed), especially to match that of someone or something else; also, to quicken or speed up (a pace).
Cudgell thy braines no more about it, for your dull aſſe vvill not mend his pace vvith beating, […]
Etymology
From Middle English menden (“to cure; to do good to, benefit; to do or make better, improve; to get better, recover; to keep in a good state; to put right, amend; to reform, repent”), the aphetic form of amenden (“to alter, change (especially for the better); to atone; to chastise, punish; to correct, remedy, amend; to cure; to excel, surpass; to forgive; to get or make better, improve; to make ready; to mend, repair, restore; to get well, recover; to relieve”), or from its etymon Anglo-Norman amender and Old French amender (“to cure; to fix, repair; to set right, correct”) (modern French amen…
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