mend

present singular third person mends · participle present mending · participle past mended · past mended · first person past singular mended · archaic present second person singular mendest · past second person singular mended · archaic past second person singular mendedst · present singular third person mends · archaic present singular third person mendeth · past singular third person mended · past plural mended · past subjunctive mended · participle present mending · participle past mended

1. transitiveTo physically repair (something that is broken, defaced, decayed, torn, or otherwise damaged).

   My trousers have a big rip in them and need mending.

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   When your car breaks down, you can take it to the garage to have it mended.

   [H]e [Jesus] ſawe other two brethren, James the ſonne of Zebede, and Jhon his brother, in the ſhip with Zebede their father, mendynge their nettes, and called them. And they without tarynge lefte yͤ ſhyp and their father, and folowed hym.

   1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Machew [Matthew] iiij:[21–22], folio iij, recto, column 2

   [A] fellow mending the tiles just when the fire broke out, saw a pot with wildfire in the room.

   1713 February 7 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter LIX.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XV, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 373

   Then, Betsey, my dear, run into the kitchen, and see if Rebecca has put the water on; and tell her to bring in the tea-things as soon as she can. I wish we could get the bell mended—but Betsey is a very handy little messenger.

   1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter VII, in Mansfield Park: […], volume III, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 148

   The boy first remembered him as sitting in the door of the plantation blacksmith-shop, where he sharpened plow-points and mended tools and even did rough carpenter-work when he was not in the woods.

   1941 January 25, William Faulkner, “Go Down, Moses”, in Go Down, Moses, New York, N.Y.: Random House, published 1942 (3rd printing), →OCLC, section 1, page 168

   Synonyms: amend, correct, fix, fix up, furbish, retrieve, make whole, patch

2. figurativelytransitiveTo add fuel to (a fire).

   He mended the fire and turned the meat on the greenwood racks.

   1992 May, Cormac McCarthy, chapter I, in All the Pretty Horses (The Border Trilogy; 1), London: Picador, published 1993, →ISBN, page 92

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   [I]n, you Rogue, and vvipe the pigges, and mend the fire, that they fall not, or I'le both baſte and roaſt you, till your eyes drop out, like 'hem.

   1614 November 10 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), Beniamin Iohnson [i.e., Ben Jonson], Bartholmew Fayre: A Comedie, […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot, […], published 1631, →OCLC, Act II, scene v, page 25

3. figurativelytransitiveTo correct or put right (an error, a fault, etc.); to rectify, to remedy.

   [S]he peered into her handbag mirror to mend her rouge: […]

   1987, Chinua Achebe, chapter 6, in Anthills of the Savannah, London: Picador, published 1988, →ISBN, page 80

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   Dro[mio of Syracuse]. […] [S]he ſvveats a man may goe ouer-ſhooes in the grime of it. / Anti[pholus of Syracuse]. That's a fault that vvater vvill mend.

   c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 92, column 1

   [Y]ou muſt examine vvhere the fault is, and taking the Pin out mend the fault in the Joynt.

   1678 January 11 – February 11 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Moxon, “Numb[er] II. Applied to the Making of Hinges, Locks, Keys, Screws and Nuts Small and Great. Of Hinges.”, in Mechanick Exercises, or The Doctrine of Handy-Works, […], volume I, London: […] Joseph Moxon, published 1683, →OCLC, page 20

   It is a mean want of fortitude in a good man, not to be able to do a virtuous action with as much confidence as an impudent fellow does an ill one. There is no way of mending such false modesty, but by laying it down for a rule, that there is nothing shameful but what is criminal.

   1710 May 16 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [pseudonym; Richard Steele], “Friday, May 6, 1710”, in The Tatler, number 168; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume III, London: I. Walker and Co.; […], 1822, →OCLC, page 19

   I can sleep weel aneugh mysel out-bye beside the naig, as I hae done money a lang night on the hills, but how ye are to put yoursels up, I canna see! And, what's waur, I canna mend it; […]

   1816, Jedadiah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], chapter IX, in Tales of My Landlord, […], volume I (The Black Dwarf), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for William Blackwood, […]; London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 194

   This old Francesco Cenci, as you know, / […] left me so / In poverty, the which I sought to mend / By holding a poor office in the state.

   1819, Percy B[ysshe] Shelley, The Cenci: A Tragedy, […], [Livorno], Italy: […] [Percy B. Shelley] for C[harles] and J[ames] Ollier […], →OCLC, Act III, scene i, page 47

   Synonyms: make good, set straight

4. figurativelytransitiveTo put (something) in a better state; to ameliorate, to improve, to reform, to set right.

   My broken heart was mended.

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   Her stutter was mended by a speech therapist.

   So neyther is one vertue fit for all, nor all fit for one vertue: nor is that one ſo excellent, but by more it might be mended: […]

   1603, John Florio, “To the Right Honorable and All-praise-worthie Ladies, Elizabeth Countesse of Rutland, and Ladie Penelope Riche”, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC

   Tacitus obſerueth hovv rarely raiſing of the fortune mendeth the diſpoſition, […]

   1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folios [76], verso – 77, recto

   Some Vegetables [when burned] loſe their Smell, as Roſes; others, keep it, as Roſemary; and others, mend it, as Lignum Aloes, […]

   1672 January 18 and 25 (Gregorian calendar), Nehemiah Grew, “An Idea of a Philosophical History of Plants. Read before the Royal Society, January 8. and January 15. 1672.”, in The Anatomy of Plants. […], 2nd edition, [London]: […] W. Rawlins, for the author, published 1682, →OCLC

   [S]uppose ſuch a one [a tradesman] to have but a poor imploy in the vvorld, but by becoming Religious, he may mend his market, perhaps get a rich VVife, or more and far better cuſtomers to his ſhop. For my part, I ſee no reaſon but that this may be lavvfully done.

   1688, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], 11th edition, London: […] Nathanael Ponder, […], →OCLC, pages 124–125

5. figurativelytransitiveTo remove fault or sin from (someone, or their behaviour or character); to improve morally, to reform.

   God mend all, I pray— / And keep us from all wrongdoing and wild words.

   1865, Algernon Charles Swinburne, Chastelard; a Tragedy, London: Edward Moxon & Co., […], →OCLC, Act II (Darnley), scene iv, page 54

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   Youle not endure him, god ſhall mend my ſoule, / Youle make a mutinie among my gueſts: […]

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Iuliet. […] (Second Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Cuthbert Burby, […], published 1599, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v], signature [C4], recto

   I vvould thou vvert a mans tailer, that thou mightſt mend him and make him fit to goe, I cannot put him to a priuate ſouldier, that is the leader of ſo many thouſands, […]

   c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], signature F, verso

   [Philosophers] therefore thought all the Service they could do to the State they live under, vvas to mend the Lives and Manners of particular Men that compoſed it.

   1685, William Temple, “Upon the Gardens of Epicurus, or of Gardening in the Year 1685”, in Miscellanea. The Second Part. […], 2nd edition, London: […] J. R. for Ri[chard] and Ra[lph] Simpson, […], published 1690, →OCLC, pages 93–94

   Good council rejected returns to enrich the giver's boſom; and though the inſtruction I communicate may not mend them, yet it vvill aſſuredly mend myſelf.

   1766, [Oliver Goldsmith], “The Same Subject Continued. [A Reformation in the Gaol. To Make Laws Complete, they should Reward as well as Punish.]”, in The Vicar of Wakefield: […], volume II, Salisbury, Wiltshire: […] B. Collins, for F[rancis] Newbery, […], →OCLC, pages 115–116

   "Give thyself no trouble as to the matter of minding him, good man, I have small mind to mind him; but as to teaching him somewhat, to that I am well inclined." He turned to a subordinate and said, "Give the little fool a taste or two of the lash, to mend his manners."

   1881, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], “The Sacrifice”, in The Prince and the Pauper: A Tale for Young People of All Ages, Montreal, Que.: Dawson Brothers, →OCLC, page 222

6. figurativelytransitiveIn mend one's pace: to adjust (a pace or speed), especially to match that of someone or something else; also, to quicken or speed up (a pace).

   But though I mended my pace, I was only just in time to see them turn into - of all places - my hotel.

   1924, Stanley John Weyman, “XII The Chief of Police”, in The Traveller in the Fur Cloak

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   Cudgell thy braines no more about it, for your dull aſſe vvill not mend his pace vvith beating, […]

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (Second Quarto), London: […] I[ames] R[oberts] for N[icholas] L[ing] […], published 1604, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], signature M2, recto

   When children to the school at morn did pass / With basket-store, thou [a goat] mendedst then thy pace, / And boldly into every school-bag spied / With insolent but inoffensive pride, / Till, bit by bit, the morning lunch was thine, / And off you sauntered as the clock struck nine.

   1856, James Fielder, “Lines Addressed to Mr. Johnson on Killing His Goat”, in The Souvenir of Friendship, London: […] [Woodfall and Kinder] for the author, […], →OCLC, page 25

7. archaicfigurativelytransitiveTo correct or put right the defects, errors, or faults of (something); to amend, to emend, to fix.

   Salt Earth and bitter are not fit to ſovv, / Nor vvill be tam'd or mended vvith the Plough.

   1697, Virgil, “The Second Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 81, lines 323–324

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   [W]here Marle is not laid too thick, nor is of too tough binding cold a quality, it vvill often mend Clays, eſpecially Grazing ground, […]

   1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, “Of Marle”, in The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land. […], London: […] J[ohn] H[umphreys] for H[enry] Mortlock […], and J[onathan] Robinson […], →OCLC, pages 73–74

8. archaicfigurativelytransitiveTo increase the quality of (someone or something); to better, to improve on; also, to produce something better than (something else).

   Beleeu't deere Lord, / You mend the Ievvell by the vvearing it.

   c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 81, column 2

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   [N]ay he can ſing / A meane moſt meanely, and in huſhering, / Mende him vvho can, the Ladies call him ſvveete.

   c. 1595–1596 (date written), W. Shakespere [i.e., William Shakespeare], A Pleasant Conceited Comedie Called, Loues Labors Lost. […] (First Quarto), London: […] W[illiam] W[hite] for Cut[h]bert Burby, published 1598, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], signature H2, recto

   [William] Shakespear[e], in Hamlet, made a drama of the self-questioning that came upon him when his intellect rose up in alarm, as well it might, against the vulgar optimism of his Henry V., and yet could mend it to no better purpose than by the equally vulgar pessimism of Troilus and Cressida.

   1891, G[eorge] Bernard Shaw, “The Plays”, in The Quintessence of Ibsenism, London: Walter Scott […], →OCLC, page 57

9. archaicfigurativelytransitiveTo make amends or reparation for (a wrong done); to atone.

   Yee may sir, (quoth he), mend three nayes with one yee.

   1546, John Heywood, chapter XI, in Julian Sharman, editor, The Proverbs of John Heywood. […], London: George Bell and Sons, […], published 1874, →OCLC, part I, page 62

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   Come, come, you haue bin too rough, ſomthing too rough: you muſt returne, and mend it.

   c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 17, column 2

10. figurativelyregionaltransitivearchaic except UKTo restore (someone or something) to a healthy state; to cure, to heal.

    Yearly thy Herds in vigour vvill impair; / Recruit and mend 'em vvith thy Yearly care: […]

    1697, Virgil, “The Third Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 99, lines 112–113

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    We have had terrible rains these two or three days. I intended to dine at lord treasurer's, but went to see lady Abercorn, who is come to town, and my lord; and I dined with them, and visited lord treasurer this evening. His porter is mending.

    1711 September 1 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter XXVII.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XV, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 112

    O, it was a rich scene,—but Sir A—— C——, the best of story-tellers and surgeons, who mends a lame narrative almost as well as he sets a fracture, alone could do justice to it— […]

    1833, Elia [pseudonym; Charles Lamb], “Ellistoniana”, in The Last Essays of Elia. […], London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 40

    [H]ot July was drawing to an end, / And August came the fainting year to mend / With fruit and grain; […]

    1868, William Morris, “July: The Son of Crœsus”, in The Earthly Paradise: A Poem, parts [I and II], London: F[rederick] S[tartridge] Ellis, […], →OCLC, page 551

    If we were making no progress with Haraldsen's business we were at any rate mending his health.

    1936 July, John Buchan, “Sundry Doings at Fosse”, in The Island of Sheep, London: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC, part I (Fosse), page 112

11. obsoletetransitiveTo adjust or correctly position (something; specifically (nautical), a sail).

    [Y]our Crovvnes avvay,^([sic – meaning awry?']) / Ile mend it, and then play— […]

    c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 367, column 2

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    VVhy he vvill looke vppon his boote, and ſing: mend the Ruffe and ſing, aske queſtions and ſing, picke his teeth, and ſing: I knovv a man that had this tricke of melancholy hold a goodly Mannor for a ſong.

    c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 241, column 1

    Mend your lights, Gentlemen. [Stage direction in the margin:] The Tiremen enter to mend the lights.

    1625 (first performance), Ben[jamin] Jonson, “The Induction”, in The Staple of Newes. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot […], published 1631, →OCLC, page 4

    Guiſe. […] Your Air, your Meen, your Charms, your every Grace, / VVill Kill at leaſt your thouſand in a day. / Mar[moutier]. […] Yes, I vvou'd make vvith every Glance a Murder. / Mend me this Curle.

    1682 December 15 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [John] Dryden, [Nathaniel] Lee, The Duke of Guise. A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] H[odgkin] for R[ichard] Bentley […], and J[acob] Tonson […], published 1683, →OCLC, Act II, scene ii, page 16

    He therefore turned the hands up, "mend sails," and took his station amidship on the booms, to see that this, the most delinquent sail, was properly furled.

    1832, [Frederick Marryat], chapter VIII, in Newton Forster; or, The Merchant Service. […], volume II, London: James Cochrane and Co., […], →OCLC, page 97

12. obsoletetransitiveTo put out (a candle).
13. figurativelyobsoletetransitiveTo add one or more things in order to improve (something, especially wages); to supplement; also, to remedy a shortfall in (something).

    VVill you goe vvith me, vvee'll mend our dinner here?

    c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 94, column 2

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    Roſ[alind]. […] Buy thou the Cottage, paſture, and the flocke, / And thou ſhalt haue to pay for it of vs. / Cel[ia]. And vve vvill mend thy vvages: / I like this place, and vvillingly could / VVaſte my time in it.

    c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv], page 192, column 1

    Sometimes vvhite Lyllies did their Leaves afford, / VVith vvholſom Polly-flovv'rs, to mend his homely Board: […]

    1697, Virgil, “The Fourth Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 128, lines 195–196

    I was forced to lie down at twelve to day, and mend my night's sleep: […]

    1711 October 19 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter XXXII.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XV, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 155

14. figurativelyobsoletetransitiveTo relieve (distress); to alleviate, to ease.
15. figurativelyobsoletereflexivetransitiveTo reform (oneself).

    [B]id the diſhoneſt man mend himſelf, if he mend, he is no longer diſhoneſt; […]

    c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v], page 257, column 2

16. alsofigurativelyobsoletereflexivetransitiveTo improve the condition or fortune of (oneself or someone).

    [W]hatſoeuer is Nevv, is vnlooked for; And euer it mends Some, and pairs Other: […]

    1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Innouations. XXIIII.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 140

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    I vvas born indeed in your Dominions, but your ſe[r]vice vvas hard, and your vvages ſuch as a man could not live on, for the vvages of Sin is death [Romans 6:23]; therefore vvhen I vvas come to years, I did as other conſiderate perſons do, look out, if perhaps I might mend my ſelf.

    1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC, pages 67–68

    [W]hether it vvas by Negligence in guarding them, or that they thought the Fellovvs could not mend themſelves, I knovv not, but one of them run avvay, and taking into the VVoods, they could never hear of him more.

    1719, [Daniel Defoe], The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; […], London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], →OCLC, page 96

    After all, if the king vvere to bring himſelf to echo this nevv kind of addreſs, to adopt it in terms, and even to take the appellation of Servant of the People as his royal ſtyle, hovv either he or vve ſhould be much mended by it, I cannot imagine.

    1790 November, Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France, and on the Proceedings in Certain Societies in London Relative to that Event. […], London: […] J[ames] Dodsley, […], →OCLC, page 40

17. EnglandobsoleteregionaltransitiveTo repair the clothes of (someone).

    "Ready?" said the old gentleman inquiringly, when his guests had been washed, mended, brushed, and brandied.

    1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “A Short One—Showing among Other Matters, How Mr. Pickwick Undertook to Drive, and Mr. Winkle to Ride; and How They Both Did It”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC, page 50

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    She will tend him, nurse him, mend him; / Air his linen, dry his tears. / Bless the thoughtful fates that send him / Such a wife to soothe his years!

    1877 November 17 (first performance), W[illiam] S[chwenck] Gilbert, librettist; Arthur Sullivan, composer, The Sorcerer. […], New York, N.Y.: A. S. Seer, […], published 1879, →OCLC, Act [II], page 22

18. Northern IrelandScotlandfigurativelyobsoletetransitiveTo cause (a person or animal) to gain weight; to fatten.
19. ScotlandfigurativelyobsoletetransitiveChiefly with the impersonal pronoun it: to provide a benefit to (someone); to advantage, to profit.
20. figurativelyintransitiveOf an illness: to become less severe; also, of an injury or wound, or an injured body part: to get better, to heal.

    My long ſickneſſe / Of Health, and Liuing, novv begins to mend, […]

    c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 97, column 1

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    Some days later it happened that young Heriotside was stepping home over the Lang Muir about ten at night—it being his first jaunt from home since his arm had mended.

    1902 January, John Buchan, “The Outgoing of the Tide”, in The Watcher by the Threshold, and Other Tales, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, published 1902, →OCLC, pages 241–242

21. figurativelyintransitiveOf a person: to become healthy again; to recover from illness.

    But the fever has left him, and the doctor says he will soon mend.

    1841 February–November, Charles Dickens, “Barnaby Rudge. Chapter 5.”, in Master Humphrey’s Clock, volume II, London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 262

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    The queen is mending of her gout, and intends to be brought in a chair to parliament when it meets, […]

    1713 March 4 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter XV.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XIV, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 387

    There's nae banes broke, and I've dressed your face wi' a sure salve. Dinna disturb the clouts, sir. Your skin's ower clean to beil [fester], and ye'll mend quick if ye let the clouts bide a wee.

    [1927 July, John Buchan, “The First Blast”, in Witch Wood, London: Hodder and Stoughton, published August 1927, →OCLC, page 120

22. archaicfigurativelyintransitiveNow only in least said, soonest mended: to make amends or reparation.

    You are in a peck of troubles, as most men are who are free-livers, and are led astray by artful and alluring females. However, as Lady Betty says, 'the least said the soonest mended.'

    1836, [Frederick] Marryat, “The Pirate. Chapter V. The Old Maid.”, in The Pirate, and The Three Cutters. […], London: […] Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, →OCLC, page 46

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    I have not let Mr. Spencer see that I have discovered his secret, I can do that or not, according to circumstances hereafter, neither have i said any thing of my discovery to Mrs. B. or Camilla. At present, 'least said soonest mended.'

    1841, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter VIII, in Night and Morning […], volume III, London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC, book IV, page 85

23. ScotlandfigurativelyintransitiveTo become morally improved or reformed.

    "Well, it's never too late to mend," said Anne roguishly.

    1909 September, L[ucy] M[aud] Montgomery, “A Chapter of Accidents”, in Anne of Avonlea, Boston, Mass.: L[ouis] C[oues] Page & Company, →OCLC, page 195

    4 more examples

    Let ſhame come vvhen it vvill, I doe not callit, / […] / Mend vvhen thou canſt, be better at thy leaſure, / I can be patient, […]

    c. 1603–1606 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] His True Chronicle Historie of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Nathaniel Butter, […], published 1608, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv], signature F2, recto

    VVe have both of us our failings that vvay, […] but it is never over-late to mend: therefore I begin, and do penance in this vvhite ſheet for vvhat is paſs'd; I hope you vvill do the like, and ſo vve may abſolve one another vvithout a Ghoſtly Father.

    1655, James Howell, “XXXVII. To R. Bowyer, Esq.”, in [Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ.] A Fourth Volume of Familiar Letters, upon Various Emergent Occasions, […], volume IV, London: […] Humphrey Mos[e]ley, […], →OCLC, section, pages 91–92

    But, fare you vveel, auld Nickie-ben! / O vvad ye tak a thought an’ men’!

    But, fare you well, old Nickie-ben [the Devil]! / O would you take a thought and mend!

    [1785 (date written), Robert Burns, “Address to the Deil”, in Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. […], 2nd edition, volume I, Edinburgh: […] T[homas] Cadell, […], and William Creech, […], published 1793, →OCLC, page 106

    I am afraid that you are a very foolish boy, […] but I hope to see you mend when you marry.

    1873, William Black, “‘Farewell, Mackrimmon!’”, in A Princess of Thule. […], New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers, →OCLC, page 151

24. intransitiveobsoleteChiefly used together with make: to make repairs.

    An evill pen, is that vvhich is ſouple or vveake, vvhich vvhen thou makeſt, or mendeſt, muſt haue a ſhort ſlit, and bee ſuffered to remaine great on both ſides, becauſe it is vveake; […]

    1622, David Browne, “The Manner How to Forme the Penne”, in The New Invention, Intituled, Calligraphia: Or, The Arte of Faire Writing: […], Saint Andrews, Fife, Scotland: […] Edward Raban, printer to the Vniversitie [of Saint Andrews], →OCLC, section I (Comprehending All the Rules of Preparation, […]), page 6

    2 more examples

    [T]he piece of woollen fabric which has been rejected by those who make or mend, and who must make or mend so cheaply that the veriest vagrant may be their customer, is formed not only into a new material, but into a material which sometimes is made into a new garment. These garments are inferior to those woven of new wool, both in look and wear; but in some articles the re-manufacture is beautiful.

    1851, Henry Mayhew, “On the Wholesale Business at the Old Clothes Exchange”, in London Labour and the London Poor; […], volume II (The London Street-folk. Book the Second.), London: [Griffin, Bohn, and Company], →OCLC, page 30, column 1

    There was a fiction in genteel families that the ladies of the house never did anything serious or serviceable after dinner; […] Why they went through this elaborate pretence I have not the least idea, because everybody knew that every girl in the place was always making, mending, cutting-out, basting, gusseting, trimming, turning, and contriving. How do you suppose that the solicitor's daughters made so brave a show on Sundays if they were not clever enough to make up things for themselves?

    1888, Walter Besant, “With the Middle Class”, in Fifty Years Ago, London: Chatto & Windus, […], →OCLC, page 91

25. figurativelyintransitiveobsoleteTo advance to a better state; to become less bad or faulty; to improve.

    VVhat thinke you of this foole Maluolio, doth he not mend?

    c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v], page 258, column 2

    5 more examples

    Then would ye mend as the fletcher mends his bolt, / Or sowre ale mendeth in summer, […]

    1546, John Heywood, chapter IX, in Julian Sharman, editor, The Proverbs of John Heywood. […], London: George Bell and Sons, […], published 1874, →OCLC, part II, page 154

    I confeſs this clime (as matters go) is untovvard to improve ſuch buds of vertue, but the times may mend, novv that our King vvith the Sun, makes his approach unto us more and more: […]

    1645 August 12 (Gregorian calendar), James Howell, “XXXVIII. To Master R. B.”, in [Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ.] A New Volume of Familiar Letters, […], 3rd edition, volume II, London: […] Humphrey Mos[e]ley, […], published 1655, →OCLC, section, page 47

    St. Peters ſeldom anſvvers Expectation at firſt entering it, but enlarges it ſelf on all Sides inſenſibly, and mends upon the Eye every Moment.

    1705, J[oseph] Addison, “From Rome to Naples”, in Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 174

    [M]y friend Lewis and I dined with Kit Musgrave, if you know such a man: and, the weather mending, I walked gravely home this evening; and so I design to walk and walk till I am well: I fancy myself a little better already.

    1711 May 11 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter XXII.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XV, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 36

    In short, the body of man is such a subject as stands the utmost test of examination. Though it appears formed with the nicest wisdom, upon the most superficial survey of it, it still mends upon the search, and produces our surprise and amazement in proportion as we pry into it.

    1712 December 2 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “FRIDAY, November 22, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 543; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume VI, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 135

26. figurativelyintransitiveobsoleteTo improve in amount or price.
27. figurativelyintransitiveobsoleteOf an error, fault, etc.: to be corrected or put right.

    Young men, whose passions are not a little unruly, give small hopes of their ever being considerable; the fire of youth will of course abate, and is a fault, if it be a fault, that mends every day; but surely, unless a man has fire in his youth, he can hardly have warmth in old age.

    1712 June 28 (Gregorian calendar), [Alexander Pope], “TUESDAY, June 18, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 408; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume V, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, pages 17–18

28. figurativelyintransitiveobsoleteFollowed by of: to recover from a bad state; to get better, to grow out of.
29. Northern IrelandScotlandfigurativelyintransitiveobsoleteOf an animal: to gain weight, to fatten.
30. ScotlandfigurativelyintransitiveobsoleteTo advantage, to avail, to help.

plural mends

1. Senses relating to improvement or repairing.
   1. countableuncountableAn act of repairing.

      My trousers have a big rip in them and need a mend.

   2. countableuncountableA place in a thing (such as a tear in clothing) which has been repaired.
   3. countableuncountableChiefly in on the mend: improvement in health; recovery from illness.

      Though he was fearfully weak, he found himself actually feeling better. The disease had spent itself, and the mend had begun.

      1911 March, Jack London, “The Jessie”, in Adventure, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company, →OCLC, page 39

      1 more example

      "[…] Then, as luck of one sort or another would have it, I got laid out with a broken ankle on a Bombay quay." Carrados voiced commiseration. "But you made a very good mend of it," he said.

      1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

2. obsoleteuncountableRecompense; restoration or reparation, especially (Christianity) from sin.

   Synonyms: mends