What is "tending"

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.

n. Action of the verb ''to tend''. vb. (present participle of tend English)

1. adj. (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward; "he is apt to ignore matters he considers unimportant"; "I am not minded to answer any questions" [syn: apt(p), disposed(p), given(p), minded(p), tending(p)]

2. n. the work of caring for or attending to someone or something; "no medical care was required"; "the old car needed constant attention" [syn: care, attention, aid]