amendv.
/əˈmɛnd/, U.S. /əˈmɛnd/ I. To correct or alter in respect of wording, argument, etc.
1.
a. transitive. To emend (a text); to correct or remove errors in (a book, document, etc.); (in later use more generally) to make changes to (a text); to modify, revise. Also intransitive.In later use influenced by sense 9. Cf. also sense 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > literary and textual criticism > textual criticism > practise textual criticism [verb (transitive)] > emend
amend?c1225
correctc1374
reformc1425
emaculate1623
mend1631–2
castigate1666
rectify1730
emend1769
doctor?c1775
redress1796
emendate1876
?c1225 Ancrene Riwle (Cleo.: Scribe B) (1972) 53 (note) Hider to is amendet.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) 1 Esdras Prol. 478 This [sc. Esdras]..alle the volumys of profetis, that weren of the Jentilis corupt amendide.
?1483 W. Caxton in tr. Caton sig. iij I requyre and byseche alle suche that fynde faute or errour, that..they correcte and amende hit.
1554 D. Lindsay Dialog Experience & Courteour Exclam. to Rdr. sig. Civv Gentyl Redar, haif at me non dispyte, Thynkand yt I presumptuously pretend In vulgair toung, so heych mater to writ Bot quhair I mys, I pray ye till amend.
1591 R. Rabbards in Ripley's Compound of Alchymy Note to Rdr. sig. *4v If anie literall fault be past, amend it with your pens.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 9 To goe ouer that which hee had done, and to amend it where he saw cause.
1747 W. Warburton Wks. Shakespear I. Pref. p. ix Amending the corrupted Text.
1837 J. H. Newman Lect. Prophetical Office Church 180 They use some anomalous criticism, or alter the stopping, or amend the text, and all because they have made up their minds already what the Gospel is.
1936 C. Brooks Jrnl. 10 Dec. (1998) 185 There were about four sentences where the style was too literary to flow and I amended them into blatant colloquialisms.
1992 J. Gladstone in S. Ardener Persons & Powers of Women in Diverse Cultures (1994) i. 17 Her scholarly reluctance to allow him to amend her draft became more marked after 1934.
b. transitive. To correct or alter (a previous utterance or a word within it). Hence: (in narrative, with direct speech as object) to state (something) as a correction or refinement of an earlier statement.
ΚΠ
1858 Proc. Sel. Comm. Managem. Survey Dept. 28 in Votes & Proc. Legislative Assembly New S. Wales 1858–9 (1859) II. 88 I must beg to amend my remarks on that subject made by me on Tuesday last.
1881 C. E. L. Riddell Senior Partner II. 191 ‘They're poor then,’ was the conclusion to which he instantly jumped. ‘They have enough to live on,’ amended Robert.
1890 Congress. Rec. 13 June 6036/2 I said I amended what I said so far as not to use the word ‘smuggled’.
1916 E. H. Porter Just David xix. 243 ‘I'm so glad—that is, I mean,’ amended David, in answer to Mr Jack's uplifted eyebrows, ‘I'm glad that you understand what I'm talking about.’
1990 B. Bainbridge Awfully Big Adventure (BNC) 96 ‘She's at an impressionable age and she's mixing with some very odd people.’ ‘Odd?’ said Vernon. ‘Not exactly odd,’ amended Harcourt. ‘I just mean they're not exactly the sort of people she'd be rubbing shoulders with if she was working in a bank.’
2008 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 1 Sept. c4/5 Indeed, the WPP Group's chief executive..called Google a frenemy, which he later amended to a ‘froe’.
2. transitive. Law. To rectify (an error or omission in a legal process, writ, etc.); to correct or alter (a plea, claim, declaration, etc.). Also intransitive. Cf. amendment n. 5.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [verb (transitive)] > correct error in process
amend1456
society > law > legal document > [verb (transitive)] > draw up document > correct error in
amend1456
1456 J. Bokkyng in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 161 And as for the accions bothe of rauishement and þ'attachement, the declaracions ar made tunc solvend' and nought solut' and as moche amendid as we can or may be fauour haue amendid.
c1523 J. Rastell Expos. Terminorum Legum Anglorum sig. A4iii/2 Amendment is whan errour is in the proces, the iustyce may amend it after iugement.
?1533 tr. Act 8 Henry VI c. xv, in Great Bk. Statutes sig. M.iiiv Iustices before whom ony misprisyon or defaute be..founde..in ony recordes..shal haue power to amende suche defautes and mysprisyons.
1694 W. B. Heath's Maxims & Rules of Pleading xiii. 302 There are some Errors in the Proceedings of Suits, that the Iudges of the Courts wherein they are depending, ought to take Notice of, and Cause them to be amended.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 409 They might..have excused themselves from amending in criminal, and especially in capital, cases.
1856 C. H. Hardin Rev. Statues State Missouri II. 1254 If a demurrer be allowed for the cause that several causes of action have been improperly united in the answer..the court may..allow the proper party to amend his pleading.
1926 R. Smith & J. S. Bradway Growth Legal Aid Work in U.S. 113 The list of items delivered to the clerk..may furnish the means of amending the claim, if amendment should be needed.
2002 Columbia Law Rev. 102 1680 When allowed leave to amend, the plaintiffs altered the plea, leaving only the medical monitoring relief.
3. transitive. To alter (an item of legislation, etc.) by adding, removing, or rewording a clause or provision (sometimes in order to thwart its intention). Cf. amendment n. 6.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legislation > make (laws) or establish as law [verb (transitive)] > amend (a bill)
amend1566
1566 Orig. Jrnls. House of Commons 19 Dec. 1 282 The bill for bancrupts and fraudulent gyfes wt the bill for the bancrupts to be comytted to amend lx. against the bill lxxvi.
1587 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Iland Brit. (new ed.) ii. viii. 174/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) I The bill is put to certeine committees to be amended.
1685 R. C. Arcana Parliamentaria 49 When a Bill is ingrossed, at the third reading it may be amended in the same House in any matter of Substance à fortiori.
1691 W. King State Protestants of Ireland xvii. 203 Sir Edward Herbert was employed by King James to amend the Act for the House of Lords; which he did in the form it is now in; nothing of the Commons Bill being left in it, but the word, Whereas.
1777 E. Burke Affairs Amer. in Wks. (1792) II. 104 During its progress through the house of commons, it has been amended.
1879 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times II. xxiii. 176 There was no reason why the Government should not have amended their bill.
2011 New Yorker 18 Apr. 46/1 In January of this year, the President signed a politically veto-proof defense-appropriation bill that had been amended to again block funding for any transfer of detainees from Guantánamo to the home of the brave.
II. More generally: to correct, alter, or improve.† 10. transitive. To improve upon, surpass, excel (esp. a person). Obsolete.In quot. c1330 intransitive with on in the same sense.
4. transitive. To correct (something that is faulty); to free (a thing) from faults; to rectify or remedy (a problem, error, lack, etc.). Cf. mend v. 3. Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > put right [verb (transitive)]
helpc950
amendc1230
bootc1330
correctc1374
menda1375
recovera1398
dighta1400
restorea1400
redressa1402
recurec1425
remedyc1425
remeidc1480
emendc1485
richa1500
rightena1500
chastisea1513
rectifya1529
redeem1575
salve1575
remed1590
reclaim1593
renew1608
retrieve1625
recruit1673
raccommode1754
splice1803
doctor1829
remediate1837
right-side1847
sort1948
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 134 To sum treowe freond þet hit [sc. a need] mei amendin.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 4007 The wrongful lawes ben amended.
1483 tr. Adam of Eynsham Reuelation xxvii Mekyll thyng was correcte and amende more than yt was wonte to be before.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. i. 176 You must needes learne Lord to amend this fault. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. vii. 3 Amend your wayes, and your doings. View more context for this quotation
1736 E. Verney Let. 15 July in M. M. Verney Verney Lett. Eighteenth Cent. (1930) II. xxvi. 140 Dear Aunt... I have only sent one of your Mobbs that if there should be any faults the rest may be amended.
a1797 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. (rev. ed.) in Wks. (1812) V. 698 Made him swear to amend his civil government.
1929 Times 28 Sept. 8/2 I trust the organizers of the forthcoming congress will yet see their way to amend their most curious omission.
1999 A. Mallinson Close Run Thing (2000) iv. 113 The legions of officers..who would doubtless soon be descending on their tailors to amend their pulled-down appearance.
5. transitive. To repair or make good (something broken or damaged); to restore (a structure). Also figurative. Cf. mend v. 1. Now rare.In later use chiefly in nonstandard varieties of English.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > mending or repairing > [verb (transitive)]
beetc975
menda1200
amenda1250
rightc1275
botcha1382
reparela1382
cure1382
repaira1387
dighta1400
emend1411
to mend up1479
restablishc1500
help1518
trimc1520
redub1522
reparate1548
accommodate1552
reinstaure1609
reconcinnate1623
to do up1647
righta1656
fixa1762
doctor1829
vamp1837
service1916
rejig1976
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 191 Seouweð and amendeð chirche cloðes.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. iv. l. 65 Wyndowes and wowes ich wolle a-menden & glase.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. cccxxxviii/1 Amendynge & cloutynge poure mennes shoes.
1575 W. Stevenson Gammer Gurtons Nedle i. ii. sig. Aiiv Dame Gurton..these breches amended.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. vii. xliv. 378/1 They fell to amending their ships.
1721 J. Perry Acct. Stopping Daggenham Breach 130 Repair and amend all the said Walls.
1765 G. Colman tr. Terence Andrian iii. vii, in tr. Terence Comedies 63 You amend My broken fortunes, or redeem them lost?
1771 Act 11 Geo. III c. xix An Act for amending certain of the Mile-Ways leading to Oxford.
1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost xii. 324 Until the machine is either amended or destroyed.
1917 Luzerne Legal Reg. Rep. 18 438 A mandamus is sought to compel the commissioners to amend, repair and maintain said bridge in a good and safe condition for public travel.
2002 H. Igboanusi Dict. Nigerian Eng. Usage 42 Amend, some NE speakers, esp. the-less-educated will often confuse ‘amend’ with ‘mend’... ‘I gave my torn trousers to the tailor to amend.’
6. † b. transitive. To chastise or reprimand (a person), esp. with the intention of correcting or altering subsequent behaviour. Also occasionally (and in earliest use): to punish (wrongdoing). Obsolete.
a.
(a) transitive. To free (a person) from (moral or spiritual) faults; to reform or improve (a person, his or her life or soul) morally or spiritually. Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform, amend, or correct [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person
raisec1175
chastya1240
amenda1275
chastisec1330
reara1382
revokec1384
redressc1390
reclaima1393
reducec1425
reform1477
reclaim?a1505
emendc1542
claim1546
reduct1548
save1857
decriminalize1963
a1275 St. Margaret (Trin. Cambr.) l. 167 in A. S. M. Clark Seint Maregrete & Body & Soul (Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Michigan) (1972) 57 Fader ant sone ant holi gost, þat alle us mai amende.
a1275 (?c1200) Prov. Alfred (Trin. Cambr.) (1955) 134 Þuru wis lore & genteleri he amendit huge companie.
c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) l. 2241 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 170 (MED) Þe pope hadde ful grete pite þat he swuch word him sende, And gret Ioye for he hadde wille is lif for-to amende.
1462 J. Russe in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 287 Jesu send yow youre hertys desyre and amende hem that wold the co[n]trary.
1520 Chron. Eng. iii. f. 22/2 Lud governed well the lande..and amended yll folk.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 73 God amende vs, God amende, we are much out a th' way. View more context for this quotation
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Yorks. 189 Vagrants meet with Punitive Charity, and..are oftener Corrected then Amended.
1796 E. Inchbald Nature & Art 33 He is very tractable, and can, without severity, be amended of all his faults.
1884 C. P. Reichel Hist. & Claims of Congessional 32 When you take the sinner..amend him of his vices, and bring him to such a state that he is converted.
1916 J. H. McCarthy In Spacious Times 40 Do you mean to tell me that so old a shepherd as yourself is, God amend us, of a mind to woo the youngest of our nymphs?
2009 K. Schmidt Parables of Flesh iv. 107 It's easiest to learn, grow and amend your life through the experience of others.
(b) transitive (reflexive). To reform oneself; to mend one's ways. Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform [verb (reflexive)]
amenda1275
menda1387
reform1512
a1275 Longe Slepers (Trin. Cambr. B.14.39) f. 28 (MED) Longe scleparis, ouerleparis, & ouerhipparis..bote if heo amenden hem a sulen to helle.
c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 141 Ȝif þou art In sunne I-bounde, Amende þe.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde iii. x. sig. k. 8v Yet for al that, they amende them not.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Matt. iii. 1 Amende youre selues the kyngdome of heuen is at honde.
a1695 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. IV (1699) V. ii. 301 We were no more able to reform and amend our selves than the Leopard is to change his Spots.
1768 E. Herbert Dialogue between Tutor & his Pupil 175 Through his study and discipline, he had reformed, and amended himself.
1860 E. Routledge tr. F. W. C. Gerstaeker Wife to Order 167 That you may prove forthwith how far you are disposed to amend yourself, I now place at your disposal thirty florins for you to lay out in necessaries.
1901 G. Tyrrell Let. 28 Nov. in M. D. Petre Autobiogr. & Life G. Tyrrell (1912) II. x. 226 I could not defend or explain or amend myself unless I knew what things [people had complained of].
2000 J. Robinson Compl. Idiot's Guide to awakening your Spirituality 73 Another way to make amends is to change or amend yourself. Resolve that you will never bring harm that way again.
(c) intransitive with reflexive meaning. To reform oneself; to mend one's ways. Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform [verb (intransitive)]
risec1175
amenda1275
menda1400
reform1582
reclaim1625
to turn down a leaf1633
to take up1661
repair1748
mend1782
to go straight1888
to straighten up1891
a1275 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 57 Let me liue and amendi, þad fendes me ne letten.
c1300 All Saints (Laud) l. 14 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 418 Gret Ioye þat a-mong heom in heouene is, Ȝwane ani of us a-mendi wole of þat we doth a-mis.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 15 (MED) Wan þe synnar wil not dewli obey ne a mend.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jonah iii. Argt. They amende, and God is mercifull to them.
1689 G. Rule Rational Def. Non-conformity iii. iv. 186 The Parochial Ministers may advertise a scandalous sinner not to come to the Lords Table till he repent and amend.
1793 T. Fremantle in Wynne Diaries (1952) xix. 251 Find the surgeon to be a mauvais subjet [sic], talk much to him. He crys, and promises to amend.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iii. iv. 172 The bad Editors promise to amend, but do not.
2000 U. Kroll Forgive & Live i. 20 It is the encounter with the love of the living Christ that inspires in people, and in us, a desire to amend, to be changed into a new person.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)] > inflict disciplinary or corrective punishment
thewc1175
castea1200
chaste?c1225
amendc1300
chastyc1320
chastise1362
corrigec1374
correct1377
scourgec1384
disple1492
orderc1515
nurturec1520
chasten1526
whip1530
discipline1557
school1559
swinge1560
penance1580
disciple1596
castigatea1616
to serve out1829
c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) l. 609 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 124 Þe king a-mendi scholde þe Erchebischopes dede And beon chief of holi churche.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 11 Ȝif þe kyng trespased he studied fast hym to amende, and so he made hym do penaunce seven ȝere for unlaweful liggynge by a mynchoun.
a1425 (a1400) Northern Pauline Epist. (1916) Heb. xii. 7 Who is þe child þat þe fadyr amendys [L. corripit] not?
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) vi. §1. 21 Na in thi wreth amend me or chasti me, bot hele me here with pyne & penaunce.
7. † b. intransitive. To recover from illness; to get better. Of a disease, etc.: to become less severe. Cf. mend v. 5b. Obsolete.
a. transitive. Formerly: †to heal (a person), restore to health (obsolete). Also: †to cure (a person) of a disease, etc. (obsolete). Subsequently: to cure (a wound, illness, etc.). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > heal or cure [verb (transitive)]
lechnec900
helpc950
beetc975
healc1000
temperc1000
leechc1175
amendc1300
halec1330
soundc1374
sanec1386
warishc1386
defenda1400
rectifya1400
salve1411
lokenc1425
redress?c1425
recure?a1439
guarish1474
cure1526
medify1543
recover1548
resanate1599
sanate1623
sain1832
c1300 St. Lucy (Laud) l. 24 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 101 (MED) Heo wende To seinte Agace Toumbe, hire Moder for-to amende.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Squire's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 460 If þt I verraily the cause knewe Of youre disese..I wolde amende it.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) John iv. 52 He axide of hem the our, in which he was amendid [E.V. c1384 Douce 369(2) hadde betere].
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lxii. 90 Whan she was amended of her legges.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Phil. Argt. f. i Epaphroditus,..was amended of his extreme daungerous sickenesse.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xxii. xxv. 143 It amendeth the suppression or difficultie of voiding urine [L. urinae difficultates..corrigit].
1779 N. W. Wraxall Let. 19 Feb. in Mem. Courts (1799) II. 185 She was so much amended.., that she recovered in some measure the power of moving her limbs.
1860 Cincinnati Lancet & Observer Jan. 228 As it has been already shown that bleeding can not remove the cause, it follows that it can not amend the fever.
1901 C. A. L. Reed Textbk. Gynecol. xlvi. 723 If we can amend the disease, we are likely to cure the amenorrhœa.
1981 Weekly World News 1 Sept. 41/1 (advt.) 5 chants to amend a broken limb.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > recover or be healed [verb (intransitive)]
wholeeOE
botenc1225
cover1297
amendc1325
recovera1375
warisha1386
recovera1387
healc1390
recurec1400
soundc1402
mendc1440
convalesce1483
guarish1489
restore1494
refete?a1505
revert1531
to gather (or pick) up one's crumbs1589
cure1597
recruit1644
to perk upa1656
retrieve1675
to pick up1740
to leave one's bed1742
to sit up and take nourishment1796
to get round1798
to come round1818
to pull through1830
rally1831
to fetch round1870
to mend up1877
to pull round1889
recoup1896
recuperate1897
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 187 (MED) Ac men of france in þulke vuel sone me sucþ amende.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) viii. l. 1220 Sche began somdiel amende.
a1450 Generides (Pierpont Morgan) (1865) l. 8865 (MED) As sone as he did amend.
a1555 N. Ridley Let. in Certain Lett. Martyrs (1564) 62 Mayster Latimer was crased, but I heare nowe thankes be to God that he amendeth agayne.
1565 T. Cooper Thes. Linguae Romanae & Britannicae sig. O5/1 Melius erit isti morbo. Plaut. This disease will amende.
1611 Bible (King James) John iv. 52 The houre when he began to amend . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 117 Th' affliction of my minde amends . View more context for this quotation
1641 T. Sherwood Charitable Pestmaster 4 Doe not tamper with those that do begin to amend: for those very Medicines that are excellently available against any Fevers in the beginning or encrease of them, being given in the declination or recovery, will bring the patient into a Relapse.
1758 J. S. Hylton Let. 24 Feb. in J. E. Tierney Corr. R. Dodsley (1988) 344 Lord Stamford hears once or twice a week how Mr: Shenstone amends.
1859 Harper's Mag. May 793/1 Physically M. Montargis was slowly amending, but there was reason to fear that his mind was permanently disordered.
1920 Christian Sci. Jrnl. Feb. 564/2 I knew that he began to amend ‘at the same hour in the which’ the Christ, Truth, said, ‘Thy son liveth.’
8. † b. intransitive. To become better, improve. Obsolete.In later use esp. of something bad or unsatisfactory.
a. transitive. To improve the quality or condition of (a person or thing), to make better, ameliorate. In early use also: †to be of benefit to (a person) (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)]
beetc975
betterOE
goodOE
sharpa1100
amendc1300
enhance1526
meliorate1542
embetter1568
endeara1586
enrich1598
meliorize1598
mend1603
sweeten1607
improve1617
to work up1641
ameliorate1653
solace1667
fine1683
ragout1749
to make something of1778
richen1795
transcendentalize1846
to tone up1847
to do something (also things) for (also to)1880
rich1912
to step up1920
uprate1965
up1968
nice1993
c1300 St. Swithun (Harl.) l. 52 in F. J. Furnivall Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 44 Þe toun also of wynchestre he amendede ynouȝ Þor he let þe stronge brugge wiþoute þe est ȝate arere.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 6865 (MED) Þis quene..lettres wide sende..ire stat uorto amende.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol. l. 375 Ech of hem himself amendeth Of worldes good, bot non entendeth To that which comun profit were.
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 133v (MED) If it be larded with piper..þe effecte of it is bettered or amended [L. melioratur].
1496 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (de Worde) vii. x. sig. rviv/1 Yf the seller be moche amended by yt sellynge, and the byer moche apeyred.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 i. ii. 126 To punish you by the heeles, would amend the attention of your eares. View more context for this quotation
1694 M. Astell Serious Proposal to Ladies 61 Such an institution as this..would be the most probable method to amend the present, and improve the future Age.
1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. iii. iv. 82 Should we pretend to amend his work! Or to advise infinite Wisdom.
1832 H. Martineau Ella of Garveloch i. 11 Presently, however, his idea of her was amended.
1920 Harper's Mag. Oct. 677/1 One of the most useful exercises is to attempt something you have never done and think you can't do. To do it you have to amend, enlarge, extend yourself.
1999 C.-C. Chan & D. F. Shen in D. BenEzra Uveitis Update 7 The result will provide information on specific immune function of the particular inflammatory cells and amend our understanding of disease pathogenesis.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)]
amenda1393
to improve on1618
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) viii. l. 3005 If they [sc. the Clergy] wroughte..Aftir the reule of charite..men schuldyn se This lond amende.
c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte (1901) l. 5929 (MED) That yonge and olde..Myght lerne of hir, and also In the crafte gretely amende.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) ii. sig. Aiv Thus amended this chylde frome daye to daye & grew so goodly.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. xxvii. 483 Raisins or dryed grapes being wrapt in fig leaues..amend and become better both in tast and smell.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 547 As for Oliues..their roots must be bared and laid open..by this manner of chastisement they will amend.
1715 T. D'Urfey in Pill to purge State-melancholy 133 Before many Years do end, The Times will amend.
1782 Monthly Rev. May 351 It [sc. the English language] is very indifferent in Yorkshire; it is worse in Northumberland; and still more corrupt in the Lothians; but it amends in Inverness.
1854 A. W. Pinkerton Few Observ. Climate Tenerife 8 Showers are marked several times afterwards, but the weather seemed to amend gradually though surely.
1894 Sessional Papers Canada (7th Parl., 4th Sess.) XVI. No. 20. 649 There was a good deal of lawlessness in the village, and since the enforcement of the law, the village has amended greatly in these particulars.
c. transitive. To improve (soil or its properties, esp. texture or drainage), typically by the addition of organic or inorganic material such as manure, marl, grit, etc. Cf. amendment n. 1c.
ΚΠ
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique ii. i. 203 The clayie, stiffe, and sandie places must be amended [Fr. amender] by dung and marle.
1651 R. Child Large Let. in S. Hartlib Legacie 43 All manner of manuring and amending lands, is not known to every one.
1745 D. De Coetlogon Universal Hist. Arts & Sci. I. 10/2 To amend a Soil that wants those qualities, it is good to throw in the Rubbish of old Buildings, well mixed with twice as much Earth, and sifted about the Roots of the Vines.
1839 Trans. Agric. & Hort. Soc. India 6 225 Manures may be conveniently divided into manures for the soil in general, that is, such as amend or alter its texture or properties for a number of years; and manures for a particular crop.
1916 Jrnl. Agric. (N.Z.) 21 Feb. 119 The remedy is either to refrain from planting apples in such positions or to amend the soil-conditions by drainage.
2004 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 9 May iv. 5/1 He recommends amending the bed first with mushroom compost—about one-third compost to two-thirds soil.
9. transitive. To change, alter, or modify (something) (without necessary implication of improvement).
ΚΠ
a1325 (?a1300) in G. H. McKnight Middle Eng. Humorous Tales (1913) 22 Bot if yo wil hir mod amende, Neuly crist my ded me send!
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xix. 201 Þe aier..idrawe in by þe mouþ is amendid [L. imutatur] and ipurid and made sotile þerinne.
1559 W. Bavand tr. J. Ferrarius Common Weale vii. iv. f. 148v Emong other mischieues, idlenesse..is coumpted one of the chifest, whiche..deuiseth how to amende, dispose, builde, pulle doune, chaunge rounde to square, and square to rounde, thinges bothe vnneadfull, and that dooe nothing appertain to the purpose.
1651 J. French tr. J. R. Glauber Of Minerall Work in tr. J. R. Glauber Descr. New Philos. Furnaces 435 It [sc. Alkahest] is not a corrosive thing and yet dissolves every thing, but some things sooner then others. It changeth and amendeth their natural vertues.
1758 Act Extending Navigation River Calder 20 To amend, alter, or Heighten, any Bridge or Bridges, Cuts and Watercourses, as may any ways hinder or obstruct the said intended Navigation.
1802 Morning Post & Gazetteer 17 Sept. The object here has been to revive the original appearance of this beautiful structure, not to alter or amend the first design.
1916 A. Quiller-Couch On Art of Writing viii. 145 A man's lineage and geniture being reckoned, as a rule, among the things he cannot reasonably be asked to amend.
1997 Daily Tel. 17 Dec. 20/6 Portfolio people create workstyles as individual as themselves. They do not mould themselves to fit jobs: they amend jobs to fit them.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] > improve upon
amendc1330
to improve on (also upon)1618
refine1659
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 214 (MED) Þe kirtel bicom him swiþe wel, To Amenden þer on was neuer a del.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 508 (MED) His maners were so menskful, amende hem miȝt none.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Squire's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 89 With so heigh reuerence and obeisaunces..That Gawayn with his olde curteisye..Ne koude hym nat amende.
a1500 Merchant & Son l. 30 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 134 He cowde hys gramer wonder wele, hys felows cowde hym not amende.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) cxlvi. 549 She was so well formyd that god and nature coude not amende her.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. ccclixv Certaynly his noble sayenges can I not amende.
III. To make amends. Cf. mend v. 2.
11. † b. transitive. To compensate or make amends to (a person) for an offence, injury, etc. Often with of. Obsolete (archaic and rare after Middle English).
a. † (a) transitive. To make amends or atone for (an offence, injury, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > atone for [verb (transitive)]
beetc897
i-bye10..
abyelOE
answer?a1300
buya1300
amendc1300
mendc1330
forbuy1340
redressa1387
answera1400
byea1400
filla1400
peasea1400
ransoma1400
to pay for——c1400
recompense?a1439
abidea1450
satisfyc1460
redeema1464
repaira1513
syth1513
reconcile1535
acquit1567
dispense1590
assoil1596
propitiate1610
expiatea1626
atone1661
retrievea1679
c1300 Life & Martyrdom Thomas Becket (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 2012 (MED) That thu wende to his sone..And amende aȝen him that thu hast his fader ido amis.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 8035 He wolde to engelond..Be god & amendi [c1425 Harl. amende] þat he adde misdo.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1070 What is my gilt..tel it And it shal ben amended.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) x. xiv. 61 Be all maner of turment and of pyne, Fortill amend myne offencis.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 170 He is happy þat a harme hastely amendes.
1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo 119 If a Factor by errour of account doe wrong vnto a Merchant, hee is to amend and to make good the same.
1711 G. Mackenzie Lives Writers Sc. Nation III. 223 If I had attempted any Thing to the Hurt of your Queen's Right, they might with Reason have required me to amend it.
1860 Law Times 25 Feb. 453/2 Now is the time to amend your wrong; take us to Peru, which is very near.
(b) intransitive. To make amends. Chiefly with for in later use. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > atone [verb (intransitive)]
abyelOE
amendc1330
to make or do asseth1340
to make a seth(e1387
make amends and sethec1420
satisfyc1425
byec1440
to do or make greec1492
syth1513
reconcile1539
respond1789
repair1886
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 5654 Ȝif ich him haue ouȝt misdo, Amenden ichil wele þerto.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 270 And [= if] he perseuere jn his outrageous langage and lykis nocht till amend—bot stand jn his purpos [etc.].
a1525 Talis Fyve Bestes l. 279 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 136 Ffor till amend als oft as ye do mys.
1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 283 Amendis now na greting.
1764 Gentleman's & London Mag. Nov. 663/1 He chang'd his tone to amend for what was past.
1864 New Englander (New Haven, Connecticut) July 467 A man..who, finally..puts an end to his life to amend for his short coming.
1921 J. O. Curwood Flaming Forest iii. 28 There had been a mistake, and the woman had shown both horror and a desire to amend when she discovered it.
2010 M. Cohen Philos. for Dummies iv. 278 These were people..sold to settle debts—occasionally even to amend for crimes such as murder.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > put right [verb (transitive)] > put right (a wrong or loss) > put right a wrong against (a person)
rightOE
amendc1300
remedy1414
redressc1450
repaira1578
disendamage1655
c1300 St. James Great (Laud) l. 161 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 38 (MED) He heom wolde a-mendi faire of al þat he hadde heom mis-do.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1917 Amendie hem of þy wronge of al þyng þou hym hast offent.
1581 in R. Renwick Extracts Rec. Royal Burgh of Lanark (1893) 83 To find cauischon to amend the pairtie.
1896 I. Farnell tr. Lives Troubadours 287 ‘For I give you’ quoth she, ‘myself, and eke my love to amend you of the misfortune that has come to you.’
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2020; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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