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lend |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Lend \Lend\ (l[e^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lent} (l[e^]nt); p. pr & vb n. {Lending}.] [OE. lenen, AS l[=ae]nan, fr l[=ae]n loan; akin to G. lehnen to lend. See {Loan}.] 1. To allow the custody and use of on condition of the return of the same to grant the temporary use of as to lend a book; -- opposed to {borrow}. Give me that ring. I'll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power To give it from me --Shak. 2. To allow the possession and use of on condition of the return of an equivalent in kind as to lend money or some article of food. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase. --Levit. xxv. 37. 3. To afford; to grant or furnish in general; as to lend assistance; to lend one's name or influence. Cato, lend me for a while thy patience. --Addison. Mountain lines and distant horizons lend space and largeness to his compositions. --J. A. Symonds 4. To let for hire or compensation; as to lend a horse or gig. Note: This use of the word is rare in the United States, except with reference to money. {To lend a hand}, to give assistance; to help. [Colloq.] {To lend} {an ear or one's ears}, to give attention. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: lend v 1: of a quality, as in: "Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company"; "The music added a lot to the play"; "She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings"; "This adds a light note to the program" [syn: {impart}, {bestow}, {contribute}, {add}, {bring}] 2: give temporarily; let have for a limited time [syn: {loan}] [ant: {borrow}] 3: have certain characteristics of qualities for something be open to: "This story would lend itself well to serialization on television"; be vulnerable to: "The current system lends itself to great abuse"
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