wend

¹

[wend]

verb (used with object)

wended , went, wending .

1. to pursue or direct (one's way).

verb (used without object)

wended , went, wending .

1. to proceed or go.

Wend

²

[wend]

noun

1. a member of a Slavic people of E Germany; Sorb.

Wend

¹

/ wɛnd /

noun

1. (esp in medieval European history) a Sorb; a member of the Slavonic people who inhabited the area between the Rivers Saale and Oder in the early Middle Ages and were conquered by Germanic invaders by the 12th century See also Lusatia

wend

²

/ wɛnd /

verb

1. to direct (one's course or way); travel

   wend one's way home

Word History and Origins

Origin of wend¹

before 900; Middle English wenden, Old English wendan; cognate with Dutch, German wenden, Gothic wandjan, causative of -windan to wind ²

Origin of wend²

1780–90; < German Wende, Old High German Winida; cognate with Old English Winedas (plural)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wend¹

Old English wendan; related to Old High German wenten, Gothic wandjan; see _wind ²

Example Sentences

This particular stretch of track, which wends north from the town of Dunsmuir, is a renegade route for hikers to one of northern California’s most enchanting natural sights, Mossbrae Falls.

From Los Angeles Times

Park’s proposal is still wending its way through the council approval process.

From Los Angeles Times

District Court in Boston, that had blocked the administration’s slapdash deportations while legal challenges wend through the courts.

From Los Angeles Times

Others say he may be content with the havoc wrought while doomed cases wend their way through the justice system.

From Los Angeles Times

If the musicians’ visibility and viability has shifted, Sparks’ music remains inventive, brainy and flamboyant pop, often born of sunshiny moments and wistful memories that wend their way into lyrics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• meander 
• saunter