DictionaryRoot: tendere

Latin

tendere

stretch, extend; direct toward

Forms

tend-
tens- — Latin stem of a form meaning ‘stretched.’
tent- — Alternative stem of a Latin form meaning ‘stretched.’

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ten-, ‘stretch.’

Note

Physical stretching became a metaphor for directing the mind toward something.

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verb

tend

Look after someone or something.

The nurse tends her patients with patience and care.

Etymology

atLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+tendLatinstretch, extend; direct toward

This tend shortens attend. Its care-giving sense preserves attending to someone's needs or looking after a thing.

More examples

She tends the garden every morning before work.
Someone needs to tend the fire while we cook.
We tended the injured bird until it could fly again.

Forms

tend · tends · tended · tending

Similar words

nurse: Nurse emphasizes caring for someone who is sick or injured.
maintain: Maintain focuses on keeping something in good working condition.