mending

Verb

mend (third-person singular simple present mends, present participle mending, simple past and past participle mended)

1. (transitive) To physically repair (something that is broken, defaced, decayed, torn, or otherwise damaged).
   • My trousers have a big rip in them and need mending.

   Synonyms:

   amend, correct, fix, fix up, furbish, retrieve, make whole, patch, put to rights, rectify

2. (figuratively, transitive) To add fuel to (a fire).
   • [I]n, you Rogue, and vvipe the pigges, and mend the fire, that they fall not, or I'le both baſte and roaſt you, till your eyes drop out, like 'hem.1614 November 10 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), Beniamin Iohnson [i.e., Ben Jonson], Bartholmew Fayre: A Comedie, […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot, […], published 1631...
3. (figuratively, transitive) To correct or put right (an error, a fault, etc.); to rectify, to remedy.
   • Dro[mio of Syracuse]. […] [S]he ſvveats a man may goe ouer-ſhooes in the grime of it. / Anti[pholus of Syracuse]. That's a fault that vvater vvill mend.c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...

   Synonyms:

   make good, set straight

4. (figuratively, transitive) To put (something) in a better state; to ameliorate, to improve, to reform, to set right.
   • Her stutter was mended by a speech therapist.
5. (figuratively, transitive) To remove fault or sin from (someone, or their behaviour or character); to improve morally, to reform.
   • Youle not endure him, god ſhall mend my ſoule, / Youle make a mutinie among my gueſts: […]c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Iuliet. […] (Second Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Cuthbert Burby, […], published 1599, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v], signature...
6. (figuratively, transitive) In mend one's pace: to adjust (a pace or speed), especially to match that of someone or something else; also, to quicken or speed up (a pace).
   • Cudgell thy braines no more about it, for your dull aſſe vvill not mend his pace vvith beating, […]c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (Second Quarto), London: […] I[ames] R[oberts] for N[icholas] L[ing] […], published 1604...

See all 34 meanings of mend