mend

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mend / mend/ • v. [tr.] repair (something that is broken or damaged): workmen were mending faulty cabling a patch was used to mend the garment. ∎  [intr.] return to health; heal: foot injuries can take months to mend. ∎  improve (an unpleasant situation, esp. a disagreement): quarrels could be mended by talking.• n. a repair in a material: the mends were so perfect you could not even tell the board had been damaged.PHRASES: mend (one's) fences make peace with a person: is it too late to mend fences with your ex-wife?mend one's ways improve one's habits or behavior.on the mend improving in health or condition; recovering: on the mend after a stomach operation the economy is on the mend.DERIVATIVES: mend·a·ble adj.mend·er n.