Mend

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -É›nd

Origin

From Middle English menden, by apheresis for amenden ("to amend"); see amend.

Full definition of mend

Noun

1. A place, as in clothing, which has been repaired by mending.
2. The act of repairing.My trousers have a big rip in them and need a mend.

Derived terms

• on the mend

Verb

1. To repair, as anything that is torn, broken, defaced, decayed, or the like; to restore from partial decay, injury, or defacement; to patch up; to put in shape or order again; to re-create; as, to mend a garment or a machine.My trousers have a big rip in them and need mending.When your car breaks down, you can take it to the garage to have it mended.
2. To alter for the better; to set right; to reform; hence, to quicken; as, to mend one's manners or pace.Her stutter was mended by a speech therapist.My broken heart was mended.
• Sir W. TempleThe best service they could do the state was to mend the lives of the persons who composed it.
3. To help, to advance, to further; to add to.
• MortimerThough in some lands the grass is but short, yet it mends garden herbs and fruit.
• ShakespeareYou mend the jewel by wearing it.
4. To grow better; to advance to a better state; to become improved.

Derived terms

• mend one's pace

Synonyms

Related terms

• amend
• mend