Main Entry:

¹tend

Pronunciation:

\ˈtend\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, short for attenden to attend

Date:

14th century

intransitive verb1archaic : listen2: to pay attention : apply oneself <tend to your own affairs> <tend to our correspondence>3: to act as an attendant : serve <tended to his wife>4obsolete : awaittransitive verb1archaic : to attend as a servant2 a: to apply oneself to the care of : watch over <tended her sick father> b: to have or take charge of as a caretaker or overseer <tend the sheep> c: cultivate, foster d: to manage the operations of : mind <tend the store> <tend the fire>3: to stand by (as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance (as fouling)