amend

[uh-mend] /əˈmɛnd/

verb (used with object)

to alter, modify, rephrase, or add to or subtract from (a motion, bill, constitution, etc.) by formal procedure:

Congress may amend the proposed tax bill.

to change for the better; improve:

to amend one's ways.

Synonyms: ameliorate, better.

Antonyms: worsen.

to remove or correct faults in; rectify.

verb (used without object)

to grow or become better by reforming oneself:

He amends day by day.

Synonyms: improve, ameliorate.

Antonyms: worsen.

Origin

1175-1225; Middle English amenden < Old French amender < Latin ēmendāre to correct, equivalent to ē- e-¹ + mend(a) blemish + -āre infinitive suffix

Related forms

amendable, adjective

amender, noun

nonamendable, adjective

reamend, verb

unamendable, adjective

unamended, adjective

unamending, adjective

well-amended, adjective

Can be confused

amenable, amendable, emendable.

Synonym Study

3. Amend, emend both mean to improve by correcting or by freeing from error. Amend is the general term, used of any such correction in detail: to amend spelling, punctuation, grammar. Emend usually applies to the correction of a text in the process of editing or preparing for publication; it implies improvement in the sense of greater accuracy: He emended the text of the play by restoring the original reading.

Examples from the web for amend

This request offers the opportunity for the people to amend their ways.

British Dictionary definitions for amend

amend

/əˈmɛnd/

verb (transitive)

to improve; change for the better

to remove faults from; correct

to alter or revise (legislation, a constitution, etc) by formal procedure

Derived Forms

amendable, adjective
amender, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French amender, from Latin ēmendāre to emend

Word Origin and History for amend

early 13c., "to free from faults, rectify," from Old French amender (12c.), from Latin emendare "to correct, free from fault," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + menda "fault, blemish," from PIE *mend- "physical defect, fault" (cf. Sanskrit minda "physical blemish," Old Irish mennar "stain, blemish," Welsh mann "sign, mark").

Supplanted in senses of "repair, cure" by its shortened offspring mend (v.). Meaning "to add to legislation" (ostensibly to correct or improve it) is recorded from 1777. Related: Amended; amending.