tend

v. t. [ See Tender to offer. ] (O. Eng. Law) To make a tender of; to offer or tender. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ F. tendre, L. tendere, tensum and tentum, to stretch, extend, direct one's course, tend; akin to Gr. &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Two gentlemen tending towards that sight. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus will this latter, as the former world,
Still tend from bad to worse. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The clouds above me to the white Alps tend. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. Prov. xxi. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

The laws of our religion tend to the universal happiness of mankind. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend; -- with on or upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Was he not companion with the riotous knights
That tend upon my father? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. [ F. attendre. ] To await; to expect. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Tend to attend, and cf. Attendance. ] 1. The act of attending or waiting; attendance. [ Archaic ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

The breath
Of her sweet tendance hovering over him. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Persons in attendance; attendants. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Tendency. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Tendencies [ L. tendents, -entis, p. pr. of tendere: cf. F. tendance. See Tend to move. ] Direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result; drift; causal or efficient influence to bring about an effect or result. [ 1913 Webster ]

Writings of this kind, if conducted with candor, have a more particular tendency to the good of their country. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

In every experimental science, there is a tendency toward perfection. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Disposition; inclination; proneness; drift; scope; aim. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Tendered p. pr. & vb. n. Tendering. ] [ F. tendre to stretch, stretch out, reach, L. tendere. See Tend to move. ] 1. (Law) To offer in payment or satisfaction of a demand, in order to save a penalty or forfeiture; as, to tender the amount of rent or debt. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To offer in words; to present for acceptance. [ 1913 Webster ]

You see how all conditions, how all minds, . . . tender down
Their services to Lord Timon. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Tend to attend. Cf. Attender. ] 1. One who tends; one who takes care of any person or thing; a nurse. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) A vessel employed to attend other vessels, to supply them with provisions and other stores, to convey intelligence, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

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3. A car attached to a locomotive, for carrying a supply of fuel and water. [ 1913 Webster ]