tend

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
tend1

▶verb

• 1 frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic: written language tends to be formal.

  ■ (tend to/towards) be liable to possess (a particular characteristic).

• 2 go or move in a particular direction.

– origin ME: from OFr. tendre ‘stretch, tend’, from L. tendere.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
tend2

▶verb

• 1 care for or look after.

  ■ archaic wait on as an attendant or servant.

• 2 N. Amer. direct or manage.

– derivatives
tendance noun (archaic).

– origin ME: shortening of attend.