† aˈtend, v. Obs.
Also 3–4 attend, 4 atent.
[late OE. atęndan, f. a- prefix 1 or 4 + tęndan to tind; cf. earlier OE. ontęndan.]
1. trans. To set on fire, kindle.
| [994 O.E. Chron. (Laud), Hi mid fyre ontendan woldon.] 1006 Ibid. Hi..atendon heora beacna. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 107 Leomene fader..for þan þe he sunne atend. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 2413 A candlee he attendeþ. c 1400 Beryn 2727 A stoon, that is so hote of kynde That what thing com forby, anoon it woll a tend. |
b. fig.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 95 Heortan þet calde weren..beon atende to þan heofenliche biboden. a 1250 Passion Our Lord 661 O.E. Misc. 56 Hi weren of þe holy goste attende. |
2. intr. To take fire.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvii. iv, Þis tre ‘Abies’ atenteþ ful sone, and brenneþ with lyȝte leye. |