tend

1 [tend]
verb (used without object)
1.
to be disposed or inclined in action, operation, or effect to do something: The particles tend to unite.
2.
to be disposed toward an idea, emotion, way of thinking, etc.: He tends to be overly optimistic. Her religious philosophy tends toward pantheism.
3.
to lead or conduce, as to some result or resulting condition: measures tending to improved working conditions; Governments are tending toward democracy.
4.
to be inclined to or have a tendency toward a particular quality, state, or degree: This wine tends toward the sweet side.
5.
(of a journey, course, road, etc.) to lead or be directed in a particular direction (usually followed by to, toward, etc.): a path tending toward the beach.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English tenden < Middle French tendre < Latin tendere to stretch, extend, proceed

00:10
Tend is one of our favorite verbs.
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to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
to spend time idly; loaf.
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tend

2 [tend]
verb (used with object)
1.
to attend to by work or services, care, etc.: to tend a fire.
2.
to look after; watch over and care for; minister to or wait on with service: to tend the sick.
3.
Nautical. to handle or attend to (a rope).
verb (used without object)
4.
to attend by action, care, etc. (usually followed by to ).
Verb phrases
5.
tend onupon, Archaic. to attend or wait upon; minister to; serve: She tended on the sick and dying with infinite compassion.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English tenden, aphetic variant of attend

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
tend1 (tɛnd) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb (when intr, usually foll by to or towards)
1.  (when tr, takes an infinitive) to have a general disposition (to do something); be inclined: children tend to prefer sweets to meat
2.  (intr) to have or be an influence (towards a specific result); be conducive: the party atmosphere tends to hilarity
3.  (intr) to go or move (in a particular direction): to tend to the south
 
[C14: from Old French tendre, from Latin tendere to stretch]

tend2 (tɛnd) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb (when intr, often foll by to) (often foll by to)
1.  (tr) to care for: to tend wounded soldiers
2.  to attend (to): to tend to someone's needs
3.  (tr) to handle or control: to tend a fire
4.  informal chiefly (US), (Canadian) to pay attention
 
[C14: variant of attend]

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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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

tend
"to incline, to move in a certain direction," c.1350, from O.Fr. tendre "stretch, hold forth, offer" (11c.), from L. tendere "to aim, stretch, extend" (see tenet).

tend
"attend to," early 14c., aphetic of M.E. atenden (see attend).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences from the web
The left and right halves tend to be mirror images of each other.
Sources tend to be higher priced and because shipping costs are greater.
Such views tend to be anachronistic, and sources allow for a variety of
  interpretations.
Circle shows are shows that tend to gather a crowd around them.
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