mend

[[t]me̱nd[/t]]

mends, mending, mended

1) VERB If you mend something that is broken or not working, you repair it, so that it works properly or can be used.

[V n] They took a long time to mend the roof...

[V n] Somebody else lent me a pump and helped me mend the puncture...

[have n V-ed] I should have had the catch mended, but never got round to it.

Syn:

repair, fix

2) V-ERG If a person or a part of their body mends or is mended, they get better after they have been ill or have had an injury.

You'll mend. The X-rays show that your arm will heal all right...

I'm feeling a good bit better. The cut aches, but it's mending...

[V n] He must have a major operation on his knee to mend severed ligaments.

3) VERB If you try to mend divisions between people, you try to end the disagreements or quarrels between them.

[V n] He sent Evans as his personal envoy to discuss ways to mend relations between the two countries...

[V n] I felt that might well mend the rift between them.

Syn:

heal

4) PHRASE: v-link PHR If a relationship or situation is on the mend after a difficult or unsuccessful period, it is improving. [INFORMAL]

More evidence that the economy was on the mend was needed.

5) PHRASE: v-link PHR If you are on the mend after an illness or injury, you are recovering from it. [INFORMAL]

The baby had been poorly but seemed on the mend.

6) PHRASE: V inflects If someone who has been behaving badly mends their ways, they begin to behave well.

He has promised drastic disciplinary action if they do not mend their ways.

7) to mend fences → see fence