tend [ tend ](past and past participletend·ed, present participletend·ing, 3rd person present singulartends)
intransitive verb
Definition:
1. be generally inclined or likely: to be generally inclined or likely to react or behave in a particular way, or be in the habit of doing something
2. move gradually or slightly toward something: to make a gentle steady movement in a particular direction
[14th century. Via Old French tendre "move toward" < Latin tendere "stretch, extend"]
Word History
The Latin word tendere "to stretch, extend," from which tend is derived, is also the source of English attend, contend, détente, distend, extend, intend, ostensible, portend, pretend, tendency, tender1, tense1, and tent1.
