tend

TEND, verb transitive [contracted from attend, Latin attendo; ad and tendo, to stretch.] 1. To watch; to guard; to accompany as an assistant or protector. And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their earthly charge-- There is a pleasure in that simplicity, in beholding princes tending their flocks. 2. To hold and take care of; as, to tend a child. 3. To be attentive to. Unsuck'd of lamb or kid that tend their play. TEND, verb transitive [Latin tendo; teneo.] 1. To move in a certain direction. Having overheard two gentlemen tending towards that sight-- Here Dardanus was born, and hither tends. 2. To be directed to any end or purpose; to aim at; to have or give a leaning. The laws of our religion tend to the universal happiness of mankind. 3. To contribute. Our petitions, if granted, might tend to our destruction. 4. [for attend.] To attend; to wait as attendants or servants. He tends upon my father. [Colloquial.] 5. To attend as something inseparable. [Not in use.] 6. To wait; to expect. [Not in use.] 7. To swing round an anchor, as a ship.