- amend
- early 13c., "to free from faults, rectify," from O.Fr. amender (12c.), from L. emendare "to correct, free from fault," from ex- "out" + menda "fault, blemish" (cognate with Skt. minda "physical blemish," O.Ir. mennar "stain, blemish," Welsh mann "sign, mark"). Supplanted in senses of "repair, cure" by its aphetic offspring mend (q.v.). Meaning "to add to legislation" (ostensibly to correct or improve it) is recorded from 1777.