tend

²tend

verb

Definition of TEND

intransitive verb

1

: to move, direct, or develop one's course in a particular direction <cannot tell where society is tending>

2

: to exhibit an inclination or tendency : conduce <tends to be optimistic>

Origin of TEND

Middle English, to stretch, direct oneself, from Anglo-French tendre — more at tender

First Known Use: 14th century