verb (used with object)
1.
to make (something broken, worn, torn, or otherwise damaged) whole, sound, or usable by repairing: to mend old clothes; to mend a broken toy.
2.
to remove or correct defects or errors in.
3.
to set right; make better; improve: to mend matters.
verb (used without object)
4.
to progress toward recovery, as a sick person.
5.
(of broken bones) to grow back together; knit.
6.
to improve, as conditions or affairs.
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Mend
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
9.
mend sail, Nautical. to refurl sails that have been badly furled. Also, mend the furl.
10.
on the mend,
a.
recovering from an illness.
b.
improving in general, as a state of affairs: The breach between father and son is on the mend.
Related forms
mend·a·ble, adjective
re·mend, verb
un·mend·a·ble, adjective
un·mend·ed, adjective
well-mend·ed, adjective
Synonyms
1. fix, restore, retouch. Mend, darn, patch mean to repair something and thus renew its usefulness. Mend is a general expression that emphasizes the idea of making whole something damaged: to mend a broken dish, a tear in an apron. Darn and patch are more specific, referring particularly to repairing holes or rents. To darn is to repair by means of stitches interwoven with one another: to darn stockings. To patch is to cover a hole or rent (usually) with a piece or pieces of similar material and to secure the edges of these; it implies a more temporary or makeshift repair than the others: to patch the knees of trousers, a rubber tire. 2. rectify, amend, emend. 3. ameliorate, meliorate. 4. heal, recover, amend.
1. fix, restore, retouch. Mend, darn, patch mean to repair something and thus renew its usefulness. Mend is a general expression that emphasizes the idea of making whole something damaged: to mend a broken dish, a tear in an apron. Darn and patch are more specific, referring particularly to repairing holes or rents. To darn is to repair by means of stitches interwoven with one another: to darn stockings. To patch is to cover a hole or rent (usually) with a piece or pieces of similar material and to secure the edges of these; it implies a more temporary or makeshift repair than the others: to patch the knees of trousers, a rubber tire. 2. rectify, amend, emend. 3. ameliorate, meliorate. 4. heal, recover, amend.
Antonyms
1. ruin, destroy, 4. die, sicken.
1. ruin, destroy, 4. die, sicken.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To mend
Collins
World English Dictionary
mend (mɛnd) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (tr) to repair (something broken or unserviceable) |
| 2. | to improve or undergo improvement; reform (often in the phrase mend one's ways) |
| 3. | (intr) to heal or recover |
| 4. | (intr) (of conditions) to improve; become better |
| 5. | (Northern English) (tr) to feed or stir (a fire) |
| —n | |
| 6. | the act of repairing |
| 7. | a mended area, esp on a garment |
| 8. | on the mend becoming better, esp in health |
| [C12: shortened from | |
| 'mendable | |
| —adj | |
| 'mender | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
mend
c.1200, "to free from sin or fault, improve morally," from an aphetic form of O.Fr. amender (see amend). Meaning "to fix something torn or broken" is from mid-14c.; that of "to regain health" is from c.1500. Related: Mended; mending.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
Unable to hunt, it died-likely of starvation-before its injury could mend.
One can't mend years of disillusionment with government and science over night.
Stem cells mend broken rat hearts, stone cold sober astronauts and more.
The firm ignored repeated requests to mend its ways.
Idioms & Phrases
Nearby Words
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