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 ofEnglishattend,contend,détente,distend,extend,intend,ostensible,portend,pretend,tendency,tender1,tense1, andtent1.
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