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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
1300–50; Middle English tenden < Middle French tendre < Latin tendere to stretch, extend, proceed
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Tend to
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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)
Verb phrase4.
to attend by action, care, etc. (usually followed by to).
5.
tend on/upon, Archaic. to attend or wait upon; minister to; serve: She tended on the sick and dying with infinite compassion.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To tend to
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
tend to
-
Apply one's attention, as in We should tend to our business, which is to teach youngsters. This term uses tend in the sense of "attend." [1300s]
-
Be disposed or inclined, as in We tend to believe whatever we are told. This term uses tend in the sense of "have a tendency." [c. 1600]
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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