▪ I. intend, v.
(ɪnˈtɛnd)
Forms: α. 3–8 entend, 4–6 entende; β. 4–7 intende, 5– intend. (Also 6, 3rd pers. sing. intent.)
[ME. a. F. entend-re, in 14–15th c. also intendre, to stretch, extend, strain, direct one's thoughts or faculties, to hear, understand, expect, occupy oneself (also refl.):—L. intendĕre to stretch out or forth, to strain, direct, spread out, increase, turn one's attention, purpose, endeavour, maintain, assert; in med.L., also, to understand, interpret, f. in- (in-2) + tendĕre to stretch, to tend.
The extensive and complex development of senses in L. and OF. is reflected also in English. But the chronological appearance of the senses here does not accord with their original development; those first taken over from French in 13–14th c. being figurative uses, far removed from the literal sense, which was only adopted directly from L. about or after 1600. As an attempt at chronological order would only end in chaos, a logical arrangement, according in the main with the development as gathered from all three languages, is here followed. But the history of some senses is obscure: see VI. The sense of early quotations is also often difficult to determine.]
I. To stretch out, extend, expand, increase, intensify. [A group of senses of late introduction, immediately from Latin.]
† 1. trans. To stretch forth, extend; to point forwards. Obs.
| 1601 Gill Trinity in Sacr. Philos. (1625) 223, I will onely intend my finger to some very few. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. (1670) 94 The Camelion..swiftly intending his tongue of a marvellous length..wherewith he preys upon flyes. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple Isl. v. xxvii, Upon whose tops spear⁓men their pikes intending, Watch there. |
† 2. intr. To stretch, extend (in position). Obs.
| 1594 2nd Rep. Faustus in Thoms E.E. Prose Rom. (1858) III. 335 Out of which are two and thirty marvellous good stone bridges, intending to either side of the city. |
† 3. trans. To stretch, strain, make tense; to expand, dilate. lit. and fig. Obs.
| 1658 Rowland Moufet's Theat. Ins. 992 A thin skin, which being..shaken or intended, it must make a sound. a 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. i. i. 29 'Tis by this..the Lungs are intended or remitted. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. iv. §13. 221 As when a bow is successively intended and remitted. 1697 Bp. Patrick Comm. Exod. iv. 21 The last word (Cavad) intends and increases the Sense. 1740 Cheyne Regimen 314–5 We may..have an innate, inherent Power to intend or remit our Wills in infinitum. 1837 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. xliii. (1870) II. 472 When we intend the vital powers above the suitable degree we occasion a hindrance, a pain. |
† 4. To increase the intensity of, to intensify. Obs.
| 1603 Sir C. Heydon Jud. Astrol. xii. 293 The Moone..intendeth or remitteth her influence at one time more then an other. 1647 Jer. Taylor Lib. Proph. i. 14 The Church hath power to intend our Faith but not to extend it. 1705 C. Purshall Mech. Macrocosm 297 A small quantity of Aqua Vitae sprinkled upon the Freezing Mixture, wonderfully intends its Force. |
† b. intr. To become more intense. Obs.
| 1654 H. L'Estrange King Chas. I (1655) 98 Having certain intelligence from his correspondents..that the heat did rather intend then relax. |
II. To strain or direct (the eyes, mind, thoughts, words, efforts, etc.). [L. intendere oculos, animum, curas, eruditionem, etc.]
5. trans. To direct (the eyes, mind, etc.), to, into, towards something. Now a conscious Latinism.
| 14.. Aungeles Song 13 in Hoccleve's Wks. iii. p. li, To his pleasaunce hire hertes to intende. 1502 Atkinson tr. De Imitatione iii. lxiv. 258 Myn iyen intendynge into the, I truste fullye in the, my lorde god. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xxvii. (1845) 130 His power to entende Ageynst all suche rebelles contrarious. 1607 Hierson Wks. I. 209 Dauids longing was entended vnto both. 1711 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) III. 181 He..blam'd himself that he could not intend his Mind in y⊇ Prayers. 1877 Patmore Unknown Eros (1890) 1 Intend thine eye Into the dim and undiscovered sky. |
† 6. intr. and trans. To direct one's course, make one's way; to proceed on (a journey, etc.). (L. intendere, intendere iter.) Obs. or arch.
| c 1425 Found. St. Bartholomew's (E.E.T.S.) 61 With othir men that intendid to the same place. 1476 Sir J. Paston in P. Lett. No. 776 III. 162 Iff ye entende hyddrewarde. 1528 Lyndesay Dreme 372 Up, throuch the Watter, schortlie we intendit, Quhilk invirons the Erth. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. x. 341 He thairfor leiueng the Quene at Neoporte..intendis the hie way to Scotland. 1608 Shakes. Per. i. ii. 116 Tyre, I now look out from thee then, and to Tarsus Intend my travel. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 2 Assured that the course which he intended made much for the glory of God. 1638–48 G. Daniel Eclog. ii. 31 Wee may intend at Something, and arrive In ken of the faire Port at which wee drive. 1682 Southerne Loyal Brother i. i, Your royal Mother, with the fair Semanthe, Intend this way. 1744 Harris Three Treat. Wks. (1841) 47 As if..a company of travellers, in some wide forest, were all intending for one city. 1774 D. Jones Jrnl. (1865) 108 Set out about eleven o'clock..intending the nearest course for the river Ohio. a 1832 Crabbe Birth Flattery i, Guide him to Fairy-land, who now intends That way his flight. |
† b. intr. To start on a journey, to set out. (Sometimes app. ellipt. for ‘intend to go or start’, purpose a journey: cf. 18.) Obs.
| [1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iv. i. 92 The King himselfe in person hath set forth, Or hither-wards intended speedily.] 1646 in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 2 Hee is at Newcastle and intends for France. 1666 Lond. Gaz. No. 47/2 She is preparing for her journey, and suddenly intends to Cleve. 1700 Penn in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX. 16 The first fair day I intend down. 1749 Wesley Wks. (1872) II. 155 Pray let us know when you or your brother intend for this Kingdom. 1817 Byron Wks. (1837–40) III. 356, I intend for England this spring, where I have some affairs to adjust. |
† 7. trans. a. To direct, level, aim (something) against some one. b. To refer, attribute, ascribe (a thing) to some one. Obs.
| 1615 J. Stephens Satyr. Ess. 167 Hee haunts the Authours company, recites the worke, intends it to some third person, and after he hath damnd the thing in question, he refers himselfe to the right owner. a 1734 North Life Francis North (1742) 215 Many Complaints were intended against him, and such as were thought well enough grounded. |
III. To strain, direct, or bend the attention; to attend to; to attend. [An obsolete group of senses from OF., ultimately from L. intendere = intendere animum.]
† 8. intr. To direct the mind or attention; to pay heed; to exert the mind, devote attention, apply oneself assiduously. Const. to, unto, rarely about, on, at. Obs.
| α c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iii. 375 (424) Eche to his owene nede gan entende. ― Boeth. i. pr. ii. 4 (Camb. MS.) She entendynge to me ward with alle the lookynge of hyr eyen seyde [etc.]. c 1450 Merlin 23 In the menetyme that they en⁓tended a-boute this mater, come Merlyn to Blase. c 1477 Caxton Jason 61 Iason..entended gladly unto the dubbyng and making of his shippe. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccxxxv. 330 Haue mercy, and entend on the delyuerance of the kyng my husbande. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. iii. (Arb.) 23 They were the first that entended to the obseruation of nature and her works. |
| β 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 81 Somme peple tylle the erthe..somme intende to sapience and discipline. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione iii. vi. 71 Loue is circumspecte,..not intendyng to veyn þinges. c 1530 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 31 A man that Intendyth to mynstrels, shalle soone be weddyd to poverte. 1547–64 Bauldwin Mor. Philos. (Palfr.) 123 It is a foolishnesse to intend much to dreames. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage iii. xvi. 279 They sometimes intend to their owne dreames. |
† b. refl. To devote oneself; pass. To be devoted. Const. to. Obs.
| 1503 Hawes Examp. Virt. vii. xxxviii, Euery true crysten man sholde to To god intended with lyberalyte. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 371 All the knightes and squiers..entended and prepared themselves to nothing, but..to be of the one parte or the other. 1627 Feltham Resolves ii. [i.] xxvi. (1628) 83 To what can we intend our selues, wherein there is not a Deuill to intrap vs? |
† c. absol.
| 1549–62 Sternhold & H. Ps. xxxiii[i]. 18 But loe the eyes of God entend And watch to ayde the iust. 1603 Owen Pembrokeshire (1891) 25 The saied Earle..ought not to intende or meddle within the said Lordship of Kemes. |
† 9. To apply oneself to do something; to endeavour, to strive. Obs.
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 1155 (Dido) Al the longe day they tweye Entendedyn to spekyn & to pleye. 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. Ep. ii. in Ashm. (1652) 111 Intending over all thing..his precepts tenne..to keep. 1582 Munday Eng. Rom. Life in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 195 She could not intend to speake to them, being troubled with so many other suters. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. xxxi. (Arb.) 74 No man or very few entended to write in any laudable science. 1590 P. Barrough Meth. Physick i. xxiii. (1639) 39 That he..may with all his power intend to amend it. 1674 tr. Scheffer's Lapland 85 Blocks, upon which..they divide their flesh, fish, or other things they intend to make ready. |
† 10. intr. To give auditory attention; to give ear, listen, hearken. Obs.
| c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 5325 ‘Balan’, said he, ‘to me entende’. 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 48, I entended to them & gaue them answeres. 1481 Caxton Myrr. iii. ix. 151 Now entende ye of the kynge tholomeus and of the werkes of somme other philosophres. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 371 If it please you to returne againe hether, then we will gladly entend to your treatie. |
† b. trans. To give ear to; to hearken to, hear. [F. entendre.] Obs.
| c 1450 Merlin 310 Sche ne a-tended to no-thinge but to be-holde and entende what songe thei seiden. 1549 Latimer 3rd Serm. bef. Edw. VI (Arb.) 95 Manye begyn to praye, and sodaynelye caste awaye prayer..as thoughe God coulde not entend them, or had somewhat els to do. |
† 11. intr. To give personal attendance; to be in attendance or waiting; to attend. Obs.
| c 1386 Chaucer Merch. T. 656 Seynte Marie how may this be That Damyan entendeth nat to me. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 100 Eche in his office Entendeth to don him service. 1469 Househ. Ord. (1790) 94 All suche persons as shall entend aboute the Duchesse. 1576 Tyde Taryeth no man (Collier) 3 At hand to approche the Players intend. 1644 Cromwell Let. 1 Sept. in Carlyle, I wish that one of your number..may intend and appear at that Committee. |
† b. trans. To attend on or to, minister to. Obs.
| c 1500 For to serve Lord in Babees Bk. (1868) 373 Hit moste be awayted and well entended by servitours yf drinke be asked. a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) R v b, The malady was greuous..and also he was not well intended. 1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. ii. vi. (1810) 301 The great trouble it would bee to our selves to intend you. |
† 12. trans. To turn one's thoughts to, fix the mind on (something); to attend to; to occupy oneself with; to look after. Obs.
| α 1429 in Rymer Fœdera (1710) X. 424 Eretikes there that entenden the Subversion of the Christien Feith. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour C viij, They entended wel other thynges than to saye theyr matyns. 1592 Harvey Four Lett. 13, I have smal superfluity of leysure to entend such businesse. |
| β 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 87 Those schepardes..appelede to that kynge..; and when that kynge intendede oon [in unum intenderet] of theyme, an other did slee the kynge. 1482 Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 102 So bode al moste. x. days with owte any mete intendyng only the benefitys of god and the exhortacion of hys brethyrne. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 1 b, Euery religious persone sholde intende the perfeccyon of his soule. 1617 Moryson Itin. iii. 239 The Plebeans intend Traffique and Shop-keeping. 1667 Milton P.L. ii. 457 Intend at home..what best may ease The present misery. 1694 Collier Ess. Mor. Subj. i. (1703) 210 The Priest is supposed only to intend the Affairs of Religion. 1784 Cowper Tiroc. 660 Too busy to intend a meaner care. |
IV. To apprehend, and kindred sense. [An obsolete group of senses from OF.: also in med.L.]
† 13. trans. To have understanding of (something); to understand or apprehend that something is; also, in early use, to understand (a person). Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 23896 (Gött.) Here i haue a littel spend In word, efter þat i entend. c 1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 9266 Generides gan tho to entend That Segryne aspied here fleeyng. c 1450 Lonelich Grail xlii. 547 Of On thing thou me Entende. 1606 Warner Alb. Eng. xiv. lxxxiii. 347 The ancient Irish Manners..if conferd with Egypts, Thence may be intended hadd. 1620 Markham Farew. Husb. ii. xix. (1668) 107 It is to be intended the voyage is seldome long, but from neighbour to neighbour. |
† 14. intr. To have or come to an understanding; to agree together; to be in accord. [F. s'entendre.]
| 1421 in Rymer Foedera (1710) X. 462 Then myght they togeder entende ayeins Miscreants. 1429 Ibid. 424 The Men of Armes and Archers, that have Entended with the said Cardinal. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xiv. xiv, Musyke hath them so set in concorde, That all in one may right well entende. |
† 15. trans. and intr. To apprehend, conceive; to think, estimate, have an opinion; to judge. Obs.
| c 1570 Pride & Lowl. (1841) 15 Which, then well understood, wyl not deceave, Nor suffer us to erre, as I entend. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary i. (1625) 5 One that sometimes intended not a little of his owne invention. Ibid., The woman..began hereupon..to waxe coy, and to intend great matter of her selfe. Ibid. ii. 118 Men vain-gloriously minded, or arrogantly otherwise intending of their owne proper services. 1638 Ford Fancies v. i, Liv. Before our sleeping hour, you vow? Troy. I do, Before we ought to sleep. Liv. So I intend too. |
† 16. trans. To understand as in the view or sense of the law; to construe, interpret, or hold legally. Cf. intendment 4. Obs.
| 1613 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 479 That which is found by the oath of twelue men is intended true till it be reuersed, but it may as well be intended that there is an errour in the Record. 1642 Perkins' Prof. Bk. iii. §191. 85 He shall be punished for his first entrie. For it cannot be intended that his entrie was unto any other intent but to steale the cup. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. xiii. 219 If such market or fair be on the same day with mine, it is prima facie a nusance to mine, and there needs no proof of it, but the law will intend it to be so. 1798 Boy Amer. Law Rep. (1809) I. 48 Nothing shall be intended to be within the jurisdiction [of inferior courts] but what is expressly given. |
V. To bend the mind to something to be done; to purpose, design, mean. [The chief current group of senses. From OF.]
17. intr. To have a purpose or design; to be minded or resolved (in some defined way). Obs., exc. as an absol. use of 18.
| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 213 Mote every worthy prince entende Betwene the simplesse of pite And the foolhaste of cruelte. 1497 Bp. Alcock Mons Perfect. E j, And so I entende all my lyf. c 1529 in Life Fisher F.'s Wks. (E.E.T.S.) II. p. lx, Inventions are nowe devised against me that neuer entended but honestly. 1587 M. Grove Pelops & Hippod. (1878) 78 Let me heare from you, how that you doe entend. 1656 S. Holland Zara (1719) 87 [They] have cause to guess that he intends rather to a bloody War, then a Wanton Tilt. |
18. trans. To have in the mind as a fixed purpose; to purpose, design. (The chief current sense.) a. with inf. phr. or subord. clause.
| α 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxx. 78 Flaterers..only entenden to plese for the tyme. 1494 Fabyan Chron. i. ii. 8 Eneas..entendyd to haue sauyd from deth y⊇ fayre Polixena. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 141 To morrow..I entende to consume in teaching you necessarye principles. 1628 Digby Voy. Medit. (1868) 27, I sett sayle for Zant, where I entended to sell the corne. 1650 Sir E. Nicholas in N. Papers (Camden) 200 The King, entending to make an escape from the Scotts. 1775 Adair Amer. Ind. 241 The man he entended to enslave. |
| β c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 478 Intendestow that we shul here bleve? 1529 More Suppl. Soulys Wks. 332/2 In dede he intendeth to goe ferther. 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. ii. i. 138 How long within this wood intend you stay? 1624 Heywood Gunaik. 207 Alcippus intended to abrogate and adnichilate their lawes. 1657 R. Ligon Barbadoes (1673) 22 We were compelled to stay longer in the Island than we intended. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) VI. 375 He intended his son should have it in remainder for his life only. 1875 W. S. Hayward Love agst. World 79 What do you intend to do? |
b. with simple obj., alone or with complemental extension.
| c 1450 tr. De Imitatione ii. iv. 44 If þou intende ner seke no þinge elles but þe plesing of god & þe profit of þy neiȝbore, þou shalt haue inwarde liberte. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xix. (Percy Soc.) 87 It was for fere ye dyde some yll entende. 1535 Coverdale Prov. iii. 29 Intende no hurte vnto thy neghboure. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 61 If suche a thinge were entended, they coulde not tell who woulde take their parte. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. iii. i. 151, I know not Gentlemen what you intend. 1606 ― Tr. & Cr. ii. ii. 39 You know an enemy intends you harme. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 200 An Ile where not long agoe the English merchants entended a Plantation. 1693 Dryden Juvenal (1697) 382 He intended an Invective against a Standing Army. 1781 Cowper Lett. 27 Nov., We both wish it may have the effect you intend. 1795 Burke Corr. IV. 380 A measure better intended than considered. 1857 S. Winkworth tr. Tauler's Serm. xxv. 386 They..remain a prey to their besetting sin of always seeking and intending themselves. 1875 Gladstone Glean. (1879) VI. 224 We intend going to Rome. 1885 S. Cox Expos. Ser. i. i. 9 We intended no neglect. |
c. with indirect passive.
| 1651 Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxx. 175 This is intended should be done. 1662 Bk. Com. Prayer Pref., The evils that were intended to be remedied. 1818 Bentham Ch. Eng. ii. 159 Was it thus intended and commanded by him to be drunken? |
19. trans. To design (a thing) for some purpose; to destine (a thing or person) to a fate or use; to purpose to bestow or give; to mean (a thing) to be or to do something. a. with prep. or conj. phr., or dative, as compl.
| 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. iii. ii. 12 A Play, Intended for great Theseus nuptiall day. 1603 ― Meas. for M. iii. i. 58 Lord Angelo hauing affaires to heauen Intends you for his swift Ambassador. 1662 Gerbier Princ. Ep. Ded., The Place of Surveyor Generall was also intended to me (after late Inigo Jones). 1701 Penn in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX. 47, I intend him the island under some moderate conditions. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) I. xli. 309 Your father intends you six suits..at his own expense. 1812–16 J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art I. 320 The threads of screws are differently formed, according to..the use for which they are intended. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 112 The whole composition is intended as an attack upon Pittacus. Mod. The second son is intended for the army, and the third for the bar. |
† b. with complemental obj. Obs.
| a 1648 Ld. Herbert Life Hen. VIII (1683) 146 The Building was intended most ample and magnificent. 1659 Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 356 Your vote makes it clear that you intend them a legislature. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 370 If the Person bearing the same protests that he does not thereby intend himself a Monk, 'tis otherwise. |
c. with inf.
| 1729 Butler Serm. Hum. Nat. Wks. 1874 II. 3 The several members..were intended to be instruments of good..to the whole body. 1853 Ruskin Stones Ven. II. vi, This we suppose to be all the pleasure that architecture was ever intended to give us. 1884 Church Bacon 143 They intended him now to come to the bar to receive his sentence. |
20. To design to express; to signify by one's words; to mean. † to intend at, to mean for.
| 1572 J. Jones Bathes of Bath i. 1 b, The propertie of every definicion is, to shew..to the sences, the matter entended. 1625 Bacon Ess., Unity Relig. (Arb.) 429 Fraile Men, in some of their Contradictions, intend the same thing. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lxi. (1739) 119 Glanvil..frequently toucheth upon the King's Court of Pleas, which cannot be intended at the Court of Lords. 1676 Hobbes Iliad Pref. (1686) 1 By Profit I intend not here any Accession of Wealth. 1783 M. Cutler in Life, Jrnls. & Corr. (1888) II. 211 Consumption, by which the Physicians intend a disorder of the lungs. 1853 Talfourd Castilian i. i, You intend my husband? 1857 Maurice Ep. St. John i. 1 Do I understand something different by Ethics? No; I intend the same thing. |
† b. Of words, etc.: To mean; to signify; to indicate. Obs.
| ? c 1530 Crt. of Love 1370 Domini est terra; this Laten intent, The god of Love hath erth in governaunce. 1565 Satir. Poems Reform. i. 677 Owtbraythinge Envye, debayte, and stryffe entendes nothinge ells but civill myscheffe. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. iv. iii, What intend these plaints? 1749 Fielding Tom Jones i. ix. note, This word..intends persons without virtue or sense. 1847 R. W. Hamilton Sabbath i. (1848) 12 The word..generally intends a sacred appropriation of a particular time. |
† c. To designate as something; to call. rare.
| a 1599 Spenser F.Q. vii. vi. 9 Vesper, whom we the Euening-starre intend. 1605 Chapmen All Fooles Plays 1873 I. 122 Gost. You haue a forward, valiant eldest Sonne..Mar. I know not wherein you intend him so. |
VI. Senses of uncertain position or origin; mostly due to literalism of translation from L. or F.
† 21. trans. To expect. Obs. [OF. entendre = F. attendre.]
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iv. 1621 (1649) Þere lyuyth lady non..Þat be-trayed were or wo-begon As I þat al treuthe in ȝow entende. 1485 Caxton Paris & V. 69 She neuer entended to here tydynges of hyr loue Parys. |
† 22. To assert, maintain; to pretend; to claim.
[cf. L. eam sese intendit esse.]
| c 1570 Marr. Wit & Science iv. i. in Hazl. Dodsley II. 360 Friend Wit, are you the man indeed, which you intend? 1593 Shakes. Lucr. 121 For then is Tarquine brought vnto his bed, Intending wearinesse with heauie sprite. 1594 ― Rich. III, iii. v. 8, I can counterfeit the deepe tragedian..Tremble and start at wagging of a straw: Intending deepe suspition. 1633 T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter i. 20 Alchymists that labour to make gold by projection, intend that there is natural gold. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 153 The Title of Universall Bishop: though..Bishops formerly in that Sea from Lynus..to this Boniface never intended it. |
† 23. Sc. Law. To maintain or prosecute (an action, etc.) in legal form. Obs.
| 15.. Acts Sederunt 3 (Jam.) By the same Act their are libertie grantit to all personis quho might be prejudgit be the saidis prescriptiouns..to intend their actiouns within the space of thretten yeirs. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 286 Hie on novayis could gett them [bulls] proclamett nor durst nocht intend the same ffor feir of the Hepburnes. 1690 Andros Tracts I. 144 All Actions intended upon Informations of Intrusions..must have had their Decision at the Ordinary Courts of Common Law. |
† 24. intr. To tend or incline. Obs.
| 1509 Barclay Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.) p. lxvii, To what vices that princes most intend That dare these fooles solemnize and commende. 1587 Golding De Mornay vii. 91 The wil intendeth rather to commaund than to obey, and vnto freedom rather than bondage. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, i. ii. 9 The braine of this foolish compounded Clay-man, is not able to inuent any thing that intends [Fols. tends] to laughter. 1640 G. Abbott Job Paraphr. 245 The raine, which is heavie of it selfe, and intends downward. |
25. trans. To superintend, direct. Cf. intendant.
[app. allied to 12.]
| 1791 Cowper Odyss. viii. 314 Nine arbiters, appointed to intend The whole arrangements of the public games. 1831 E. Irving Exp. Revelat. I. 58 According to their several spheres of creation and providence which they occupy and intend. |
▪ II. † inˈtend, n. Obs.
[f. intend v.]
= intent.
| 1526 Tindale Acts x. 29, I axe you therfore; for what intend have ye sent for me? 1607 Schol. Disc. agst. Antichr. i. ii. 71 This answer of a good intend is meerly cauillous. 1649 Bp. Reynolds Hosea iv. 57 In pursuance of other ends and intends. |