mend

Etymology

From Middle English menden, by apheresis for amenden (“to amend”); see amend.

noun

1. A place, as in clothing, which has been repaired by mending.
2. The act of repairing or recovering.
   My trousers have a big rip in them and need a mend.

verb

1. (transitive) To repair (something that is torn, broken, defaced, decayed, or otherwise damaged)
   My trousers have a big rip in them and need mending.
   When your car breaks down, you can take it to the garage to have it mended.
2. (transitive) To put in a better state; to set right; to reform;
   Her stutter was mended by a speech therapist.
   My broken heart was mended.
   [they] therefore thought all the Service they could do to the State they live under, was to mend the Lives and Manners of particular Men that composed it 1685, William Temple, Of Gardens
3. To quicken
4. (transitive) To help, to advance, to further; to add to.
   But my lord was angry, and being disguised with liquor too, he would not let him go till they played more; and play they did, and the luck still went the same way; and my lord grew fierce over it, and cursed and drank, and that did not mend his luck you may be sure […] 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard
5. (intransitive) To grow better; to advance to a better state; to become improved.
   August 11 1711, Jonathan Swift, letter to Stella We have had terrible rains these two or three days. I intended to dine at lord treasurer's, but went to see lady Abercorn, who is come to town, and my lord; and I dined with them, and visited lord treasurer this evening. His porter is mending.
   Some days later it happened that young Heriotside was stepping home over the Lang Muir about ten at night, it being his first jaunt from home since his arm had mended. 1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide