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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Amend \A*mend"\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Amended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Amending}.] [F. amender, L. emendare; e (ex) + mendum, menda, fault, akin to Skr. minda personal defect. Cf. {Emend}, {Mend}.] To change or modify in any way for the better; as, (a) by simply removing what is erroneous, corrupt, superfluous, faulty, and the like; (b) by supplying deficiencies; (c) by substituting something else in the place of what is removed; to rectify.
Mar not the thing that can not be amended. --Shak.
An instant emergency, granting no possibility for revision, or opening for amended thought. --De Quincey.
We shall cheer her sorrows, and amend her blood, by wedding her to a Norman. --Sir W. Scott.
{To amend a bill}, to make some change in the details or provisions of a bill or measure while on its passage, professedly for its improvement.
Syn: To {Amend}, {Emend}, {Correct}, {Reform}, {Rectify}.
Usage: These words agree in the idea of bringing things into a more perfect state. We correct (literally, make straight) when we conform things to some standard or rule; as, to correct proof sheets. We amend by removing blemishes, faults, or errors, and thus rendering a thing more a nearly perfect; as, to amend our ways, to amend a text, the draft of a bill, etc. Emend is only another form of amend, and is applied chiefly to editions of books, etc. To reform is literally to form over again, or put into a new and better form; as, to reform one's life. To rectify is to make right; as, to rectify a mistake, to rectify abuses, inadvertencies, etc.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
amended
adjective
1: of legislation [ant: {unamended}]
2: modified for the better; "his amended ways"
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |