different between renew vs mend

English

Etymology

From Middle English renewen, an alteration (possibly on analogy with Latin renov?re) of earlier anewen (“to renew”), from Old English ?en?wian (“to restore; renovate; renew”), equivalent to re- +? new. Cognate with Old High German giniuw?n (“to renew”), Middle High German geniuwen (“to renew”), Old Norse nýja (“to renew”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???nju?/
• Rhymes: -u?
• Hyphenation: re?new

Verb

renew (third-person singular simple present renews, present participle renewing, simple past and past participle renewed)

1. (transitive) To make (something) new again; to restore to freshness or original condition. [from 14^thc.]
   • c.1596-98, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act 5, scene i:

     In such a night / Medea gather’d the enchanted herbs / That did renew old AEson.

2. (transitive) To replace (something which has broken etc.); to replenish (something which has been exhausted), to keep up a required supply of. [from 14^thc.]
3. (theology) To make new spiritually; to regenerate. [from 14th c.]
   • 1526, William Tyndale, Bible (Tyndale), Romans 12.2:

     And fassion not youre selves lyke vnto this worlde: But be ye chaunged in youre shape by the renuynge of youre wittes that ye maye fele what thynge that good yt acceptable and perfaycte will of god is.

4. (now rare, intransitive) To become new, or as new; to revive. [15^th-18^thc.]
   • , II.2.6.ii:

     […] to such as are in fear they strike a great impression, renew many times, and recal such chimeras and terrible fictions into their minds.

   • 2010 September, Michael Allen, "St. Louis Preservation Fund", St. Louis magazine, ISSN 1090-5723, Vol.16, Is.9, p.74:

     Renewing neighborhoods dealing with vacant buildings badly need options other than demolition or dangerous vacant spaces.

5. (transitive) To begin again; to recommence. [from 16^thc.]
   • 1660, John Dryden, translating Virgil, (apparently from Eclogue 4), a snippet of translation used to introduce Dryden's Astræa Redux: A poem on the happy restoration and return of His Sacred Majesty Charles II

     The last great age, foretold by sacred rhymes, / Renews its finished course ; Saturnian times / Roll round again.

   • “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; […]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.

6. (rare) To repeat. [from 17^thc.]
   • 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost:

     The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds / Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings.

7. (transitive, intransitive) To extend a period of loan, especially a library book that is due to be returned.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:repair

Related terms

• renewal

Translations

Noun

renew (plural renews)

1. Synonym of renewal

Derived terms

• urban renew

Anagrams

• newer, weren

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /m?nd/
• Rhymes: -?nd

Noun

mend (plural mends)

1. A place, as in clothing, which has been repaired by mending.
2. The act of repairing.

Derived terms

• on the mend

Translations

Verb

mend (third-person singular simple present mends, present participle mending, simple past and past participle mended)

1. (transitive) To repair, as anything that is torn, broken, defaced, decayed, or the like; to restore from partial decay, injury, or defacement.

2. (transitive) To alter for the better; to set right; to reform; hence, to quicken; as, to mend one's manners or pace.
   • 1685, William Temple, Of Gardens

3. (transitive) To help, to advance, to further; to add to.
4. (intransitive) To grow better; to advance to a better state; to become improved.

Derived terms

• least said, soonest mended
• mend one's pace

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:repair

Translations

Related terms

Further reading

• mend in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• mend in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• mend at OneLook Dictionary Search

Polish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /m?nt/

Noun

mend

1. genitive plural of menda