tend

tend
[[t]te̱nd[/t]]
♦♦
tends, tending, tended
1) VERB If something tends to happen, it usually happens or it often happens.

[V to-inf] A problem for manufacturers is that lighter cars tend to be noisy...

[V to-inf] In older age groups women predominate because men tend to die younger...

[V to-inf] They tend to buy cheap processed foods like canned chicken and macaroni.

Syn:
be apt
2) VERB If you tend towards a particular characteristic, you often display that characteristic.

[V towards n] Artistic and intellectual people tend towards left-wing views. [Also V to n]

3) VERB (vagueness) You can say that you tend to think something when you want to give your opinion, but do not want it to seem too forceful or definite.

[V to-inf] I tend to think that members of parliament by and large do a good job.

4) VERB If you tend someone or something, you do what is necessary to keep them in a good condition or to improve their condition. [FORMAL]

[V n] For years he tended her in her painful illness...

[V n] He tends the flower beds and evergreens that he has planted in the driveway.

Syn:
5) VERB If you tend to someone or something, you pay attention to them and deal with their problems and needs.

[V to n] In our culture, girls are brought up to tend to the needs of others...

[V to n] She hurried away to pour more coffee and tend to the grill.

Syn:

English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • tend — tend …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • tend — [ tend ] verb *** 1. ) intransitive to usually do a particular thing: tend to do something: He tends to exaggerate. The gym tends to get very busy at around six o clock. We tend to take technology for granted nowadays. These arguments tend merely …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tend — W1S1 [tend] v [Sense: 1, 3, 5; Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: tendre to stretch , from Latin tendere] [Sense: 2, 4; Date: 1100 1200; Origin: attend] 1.) tend to do sth if something tends to happen, it happens often and is likely to happen …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tend — tend1 [tend] vt. [ME tenden, aphetic < attenden: see ATTEND] 1. to take care of; minister to; watch over; look after; attend to [to tend plants or animals, to tend the sick] 2. to be in charge of or at work at; manage or operate [to tend a… …   English World dictionary

  • tend — /tend/ verb 1 tend to do sth to often do a particular thing, especially something that is bad or annoying, and to be likely to do it again: Sally tends to interfere in other people s business. | The car does tend to overheat. 2 tend towards sth… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • tend — tend, attend, mind, watch are comparable when they mean to take charge of or look after someone or something especially as a duty or in return for remuneration. Tend usually retains some notion of an earlier sense in which it means to pay… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • tend*/*/*/ — [tend] verb 1) [I] to usually do a particular thing He tends to exaggerate.[/ex] I tend not to go out so much in the winter.[/ex] 2) [I/T] to take care of someone or something Eddie kept himself busy tending the garden.[/ex] Doctors were tending… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • Tend — Tend, 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.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tend — Ⅰ. tend [1] ► VERB 1) frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic. 2) go or move in a particular direction. ORIGIN Latin tendere stretch, tend . Ⅱ. tend [2] ► …   English terms dictionary

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