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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Tend, v.¹ Also: tent. [ME and e.m.E. tende (Cursor M.), aphetic form of Intend v.]

1. To intend, purpose to do (something). = Intend v. 2.1482 Acts XII 33/2. 1496 Acta Conc. II 36.
Maister David Maistertoune has … rasit ane citacione … to the court of Rome … and be that wise … tendis to vex the sade Maister James in his sade benefice 1501 Reg. Privy S. I 104/2.
The said George tendis … to analie … a part of his landis 1514 Irvine Mun. I 33.
Our untrew liegis of the Ilis … tendis … to invaid the lawland 1525 Acts II 293/2.
I neuer as yit did hir grace ony harme in hir persoune nor neuer tendis to do 1533 Boece 24.
How tending to renew were apoun Scotland he was prevenit be ded 1542 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 521.
He … tendis to ly in the firth to awayit tham 1546–7 Edinb. Guild Ct. 10 Feb.
Hes wrangnouslie biggit within the said Marionis syd wall … as clerlie may be sene tending to continew his werk in that maner 1556–7 Dundee B. Ct. III 99b (29 Jan.).
And in … impediment making to the said Alexander to sitt or stand befoir his said buith … tending to hald doun the said bynk 1564–5 Reg. Privy C. I 320.
Maister David Spens … hes … set ane few … to Alexander Maxwell … tending thairby to disposses the said Johnne of his said kyndlie possessioun 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 188.
He being gangand thair … with ane bendit pistole … and tending to have schot him schot the samin to have slane him 1570 Leslie 211.
The Protectour caused prepair … abill and well furneshit horsmen … tending be thame to send sum pulder … to the toune 1657 Nicoll Diary 206.
Mr. Patrik Gillespy … haid devydit the pepill … in factiounes tending to bring in pepill of his awin … to be magistratisreflex. 1522 Fife Sheriff Ct. 273.
He hes violently put hir pleuch out of hyre saidis landis tendand hym to spoilȝe hyre of hir possession tharof

2. tr. To show, indicate that (something is the case). b. absol. 1549 Compl. 161/19.
This exempil [sc. of the Hydra] tendis that the scisma … sal neuyr be extinct … bot gyf al the heydis [etc.]b. c1450-2 Howlat 434 (A).
The siluer … trewly to tend Is cleir corage

3. To reveal, make known (one's attitude). 1638 Hamilton P. (Camden Soc.) 34.
[Justis Clarke's] diligens preuented the Couenanters, and before they could tent ther hartes against your Majestie proclamation, he had published the same