/ mend; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] ( BrE ) to repair sth that has been damaged or broken so that it can be used again :
Could you mend my bike for me?
—see also fence-mending
2.
[ vn ] to repair a hole in a piece of clothing, etc. :
He mended shoes for a living.
3.
[ vn ] to find a solution to a problem or disagreement :
They tried to mend their differences.
4.
[ v ] ( BrE , old-fashioned ) ( of a person ) to improve in health after being ill / sick
SYN recover :
He's mending slowly after the operation.
5.
[ v ] ( of a broken bone ) to heal
•
IDIOMS
- mend (your) fences (with sb)
- mend your ways
—more at say verb
■ noun
•
IDIOMS
- on the mend
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : shortening of amend .