mend

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, short for amenden — more at amend Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. to free from faults or defects: as a. to improve in manners or morals ; reform b. to set right ; correct c. to put into good shape or working order again ; patch up ; repair d. to improve or strengthen (as a relationship) by negotiation or conciliation — used chiefly in the phrase mend fences <

spends the weekend mending political fences — E. O. Hauser

> e. to restore to health ; cure 2. to make amends or atonement for <

least said, soonest mended

> intransitive verb 1. to improve morally ; reform 2. to become corrected or improved 3. to improve in health; also heal • mendable adjective • mender noun Synonyms: mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that has been injured, damaged, or defective. mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured <

mended the torn dress

>. repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation <

repaired the back steps

>. patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material <

patch worn jeans

>. rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing <

a rebuilt automobile engine

>. II. noun Date: 14th century 1. an act of mending ; repair 2. a mended place