tend

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   manage or run

   tend a store

2. 2
   verb

   have care of or look after

   I tend to the children.

3. 3
   verb

   To be likely, or probable to do something, or to have a certain habit or leaning.

   They tend to go out on Saturdays.

4. 4
   verb

   To contribute to or toward some outcome.

   The Lords in 1722 declared that annexing such Clauses tends to the destruction of this government. And yet there are such bills every session and you pass them.

5. 5
   verb

   To look after (e.g. an ill person.)

   We need to tend to the garden, which has become a mess.

6. 6
   verb

   To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard.

   Shepherds tend their flocks.

7. 7
   verb

   To wait (upon), as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend.

   Was he not companion with the riotous knights / That tend upon my father?

8. 8
   verb

   To await; to expect.

   Had I not. Four or five women once that tended me?

Etymology

From Middle English tenden, from Old English tendan (“to kindle, set on fire”) (usually in compounds ātendan, fortendan, ontendan), from Proto-Germanic *tandijaną (“to kindle”), of unknown origin. Cognate with Danish tænde (“to kindle”), Swedish tända (“to ignite”), Gothic 𐍄𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌾𐌰𐌽 (tandjan, “to kindle”), Icelandic tendra (“to ignite”), German zünden (“to light, ignite, fire”). Related to tinder.