Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tend \Tend\, v. t. [See {Tender} to offer.] (O. Eng. Law)
   To make a tender of; to offer or tender. [Obs.]

Tend \Tend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tended}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Tending}.] [Aphetic form of attend. See {Attend}, {Tend} to
   move, and cf. {Tender} one that tends or attends.]
   1. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the
      wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds
      tend their flocks. --Shak.

            And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their
            earthly charge.                       --Milton.

            There 's not a sparrow or a wren, There 's not a
            blade of autumn grain, Which the four seasons do not
            tend And tides of life and increase lend. --Emerson.

   2. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.

            Being to descend A ladder much in height, I did not
            tend My way well down.                --Chapman.

   {To tend a vessel} (Naut.), to manage an anchored vessel when
      the tide turns, so that in swinging she shall not entangle
      the cable.

Tend \Tend\, v. i.
   1. To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend;
      -- with on or upon.

            Was he not companion with the riotous knights That
            tend upon my father?                  --Shak.

   2. [F. attendre.] To await; to expect. [Obs.] --Shak.

Tend \Tend\, v. i. [F. tendre, L. tendere, tensum and tentum, to
   stretch, extend, direct one's course, tend; akin to Gr. ? to
   stretch, Skr. tan. See {Thin}, and cf. {Tend} to attend,
   {Contend}, {Intense}, {Ostensible}, {Portent}, {Tempt},
   {Tender} to offer, {Tense}, a.]
   1. To move in a certain direction; -- usually with to or
      towards.

            Two gentlemen tending towards that sight. --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.

            Thus will this latter, as the former world, Still
            tend from bad to worse.               --Milton.

            The clouds above me to the white Alps tend. --Byron.

   2. To be directed, as to any end, object, or purpose; to aim;
      to have or give a leaning; to exert activity or influence;
      to serve as a means; to contribute; as, our petitions, if
      granted, might tend to our destruction.

            The thoughts of the diligent tend only to
            plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only
            to want.                              --Prov. xxi.
                                                  5.

            The laws of our religion tend to the universal
            happiness of mankind.                 --Tillotson.

Source : WordNet®

tend
     v 1: have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be
          inclined; "She tends to be nervous before her lectures";
          "These dresses run small"; "He inclined to corpulence"
          [syn: {be given}, {lean}, {incline}, {run}]
     2: have care of or look after; "She tends to the children"
     3: manage or run; "tend a store"