Tend — Defs

01 v. t. To make a tender of; to offer or tender.

02 v. t. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds tend their flocks.

imp. & p. p. Tended; p. pr. & vb. n. Tending

1.
To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds tend their flocks.
“And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their earthly charge.” — Milton.

“There 's not a sparrow or a wren, There 's not a blade of autumn grain, Which the four seasons do not tend And tides of life and increase lend.” — Emerson.
2.
To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
“Being to descend A ladder much in height, I did not tend My way well down.” — Chapman.

Phrases & compounds

To tend a vessel — to manage an anchored vessel when the tide turns, so that in swinging she shall not entangle the cable.

03 v. i. To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend; -- with on or upon.

1.
To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend; -- with on or upon.
“Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tend upon my father?” — Shak.
2.
To await; to expect.[Obs.]

04 v. i. To move in a certain direction; -- usually with to or towards.

1.
To move in a certain direction; -- usually with to or towards.
“Two gentlemen tending towards that sight.” — Sir H. Wotton.

“Thus will this latter, as the former world, Still tend from bad to worse.” — Milton.

“The clouds above me to the white Alps tend.” — Byron.
2.
To be directed, as to any end, object, or purpose; to aim; to have or give a leaning; to exert activity or influence; to serve as a means; to contribute; as, our petitions, if granted, might tend to our destruction.
“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” — Prov. xxi. 5.

“The laws of our religion tend to the universal happiness of mankind.” — Tillotson.