Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Tent, Tend, v.¹ [ME and e.m.E. tent, tend(e (all Cursor M.), tente (1530).]

1. intr. To pay attention, give heed to, watch out for; to care about. Cf. Attend v. 1, Intend v. 1, Tent n.¹(a) 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
Men that puttis Gode out of thare thocht … and tentis to non other thing Bot to thare licherus lyking a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 342.
Lordingis … I rede ye tent treuly to my teching 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3684.
My lord … will ȝe tent to my taill 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4728.
Tent to ȝour wife, gif hir credence no moir 1572 Sempill in Sat. P. xxxviii 99.
Tent to ȝoursellis(b) 1490 Irland Mir. II 126/16.
This … mercifull iuge tendis euir and lukis to the … saluacioun of the man 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 206.
Certane factious personis, enymies to thair native cuntrie, and to all sic as tendis to the libertie thairof

2. tr. To attend, take care of. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 492 (B).
Kis hir and clap hir … and tent hir weill 1579 Edinb. Test. VII 110.
I … leuis the said Grissell in the said Thomas gyding & governament and ordinis him to tent hir & do weill to hir 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 64.
When foxes preach tent weel your geese