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.2 Also: teind, tynd, (tindy). [ME and e.m.E. tend (c1350), tende (c1440), OF tendre, L. tendere.] intr.
1. lit. To head, make one's way towards, go (in)to, unto (a place).(a) c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 53.
I saw approch … A saill … Quhilk tendit to the land c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 192/29.
Thow tending to ane uther place A journay going everie day 15.. Clar. iv 2052.
On horse thay have ascendit, As thay that north into the cuntrie tendit(b) 1574 Cal. Sc. P. V 9.
Leith wes his port quhairunto his course teindit(c) 1600 Crim. Trials II 156.
Sua, tindying fordvart to the ȝeat, ane pat ane steilbonet on my lordis hede … Proceding fordvart [etc.]
b. Of a land-mass, boundary, etc: To extend in (to) a direction, distance, etc.c1515 Asl. MS I 308/20.
Than tending west lyis ylandis in the occeane ?1549 Monro W. Isles (Sibbald MS) 12.
Sky tending fra the south to the north to 42 miles 1600 Disposition of the two mills in Crail MS 13 Sept.
Thees said tua milnes heretabilly parteining to ws lying … betuix the south feild of the play feild tending to the cobill of umqll Robert Grig 1602 Reg. Great S. 474/2.
Tendand to the eist quhill it … cum to the heidrig
c. tr. To stretch out, extend (one's hands).c1590 Fowler I 304/12.
To the ground my kneis I humblie thring And both my hands vnto the heavinis dois tend With humble suit
2. fig. a. Of a state of affairs, etc.: To lead or conduce (to (for) an outcome, goal or intention). Also const. adverbial.(1) c1490 Irland Asl. MS 61/23.
The ȝoung person … beand in syn fynalie tendand to his perdicioun 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I 182.
The saidis merchandis … desyris tendis … to the … incressing of … amite … amangis the saidis merchandis 15.. Clar. v 1828.
The court of nobilnes … Quhilk unto nothing bot to honour tendit 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I 541.
My ouverture proceidit of no uther intent nor tendeth to any other fyne 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 399.
The stait of the kirk, than tendand and declynand fast to corruptioun 1569 Reg. Privy C. I 677.
This lovabill werk, tending to the commoun weill 1578–9 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 101.
Diuers bruittis and rumoris tending to all apperance to sum inquietatioun within this burgh c1590 Fowler II 56/6.
For painting & grauing ar things indifferent … quhen thair vse tends not to deuotioun bot to decoratioun and ornament 1597 Misc. Maitl. C. I 87.
Anent the chapel in Kirkintilloch to be ane kirk … the … supplicatioun … wes groundit to tend to ane novatioune 1597 Acts IV 148/1.
Ane vniuersitie … vill tend … to the advancement of the … ȝouthe in bringing tham vp in leirning a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1804) 286.
It hes not bein the custome of England to let louse onie grip that they haue hade of Scotland at ony tyme, without weyghtie causes tending alwayes to thair awin profite 1638 Lennoxlove MS (The Duke of Hamilton) C1/8369.
The bischop's joviall countenance … tends litill to the quyetnes of that grait busines you ar about 1650 Glasgow Wrights Acts 8.
That the deacone salbe lyable to bear the burtheine off ryding to burialls, as on who is judgitt most fitt thairto, and tends most for the credit of the croft 1698 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 322.
Finding that the forsaid work … was most commendable and necessar, and might conduce and tend very much to the … benefite of this burgh(b) 1564 Rec. Univ. Aberd. 127.
Ony thing quhilk may tynd to the violatioun … of this our speciall protectioun(2) 1570–1 Canongate Ct. Bk. 298.
Providing alwayis that this renunciatioun … tend na ferder nor for annulling and evacuatioun of the saidis lettres of tak
b. Of a person: To direct his interest or activity in a direction or unto an end.1468 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 5.
Thai sal remayn with … the King … agane ony personys that wald tend in the contrare 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 150.
Quhilk micht be hurtfull to that quhairunto baith we do tend
c. To affect, impinge vpone. Also const. to.1601 Douglas Corr. 244.
Seing that mater tendis sa heichlie to the honour of my hous c1650 Spalding I 226.
Thair wes many vther actis … set doun in this assembly … It is said the kingis commissioner wes not content with thair procedure, tending and incroching vpone the kingis royall pouer
