Mend \Mend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mended; p. pr. & vb. n. Mending.]

[Abbrev. fr. amend. See Amend.]

1. To repair, as anything that is torn, broken, defaced, decayed, or the like; to restore from partial decay, injury, or defacement; to patch up; to put in shape or order again; to re-create; as, to mend a garment or a machine.

2. To alter for the better; to set right; to reform; hence, to quicken; as, to mend one's manners or pace.

The best service they could do the state was to mend the lives of the persons who composed it. --Sir W. Temple.

3. To help, to advance, to further; to add to.

Though in some lands the grass is but short, yet it mends garden herbs and fruit. --Mortimer.

You mend the jewel by the wearing it. --Shak.

Syn: To improve; help; better; emend; amend; correct; rectify; reform.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)