Webster's English Dictionary

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tend

1. tend \'tend\ vb [ME tenden, short for attenden to attend] archaic  1: to 
   give ear : LISTEN  2: to pay attention : apply oneself {~ to your own 
   affairs}  3: to act as an attendant : SERVE  obs  4: AWAIT  archaic  1: to 
   attend as a servant  2a: to apply oneself to the care of : watch over  2b: 
   to have or take charge of as a caretaker or overseer  2c: CULTIVATE, FOSTER 
    2d: to manage the operations of : MIND {~ a store} 
2. tend vb [ME tenden, fr. MF tendre to stretch, tend, fr. L tendere -] 
   more at THIN 1: to move, direct, or develop one's course in a particular 
   direction  2: to exhibit an inclination or tendency : CONDUCE  : to stand 
   by (as a rope) in readiness to prevent fouling or other mischa nce