Word Origin & History
amendearly 13c., "to free from faults, rectify," from O.Fr. amender (12c.), from L. emendare "to correct, free from fault," from ex- "out" + menda "fault, blemish" (cognate with Skt. minda "physical blemish," O.Ir. mennar "stain, blemish," Welsh mann "sign, mark"). Supplanted in senses of "repair, cure"
by its aphetic offspring
mend (q.v.). Meaning "to add to legislation" (ostensibly to correct or improve it) is recorded from 1777.
amendsearly 14c., "restitution," collective singular, from O.Fr. amendes "fine, penalty," pl. of amende "reparation," from amender "to amend" (see
amend).