from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mend \Mend\ (m[e^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mended}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mending}.] [Abbrev. fr. amend. See {Amend}.]
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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.
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2. To alter for the better; to set right; to reform; hence,
to quicken; as, to mend one's manners or pace.
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The best service they could do the state was to mend
the lives of the persons who composed it. --Sir W.
Temple.
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3. To help, to advance, to further; to add to.
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Though in some lands the grass is but short, yet it
mends garden herbs and fruit. --Mortimer.
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You mend the jewel by the wearing it. --Shak.
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Syn: To improve; help; better; emend; amend; correct;
rectify; reform.
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