v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtending. ] [ L. obtendere, obtentum, to stretch or place before or against; ob (see Ob-) + tendere to stretch. ] 1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To offer as the reason of anything; to pretend. [ Obs. ] Dryden [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. ostendere to show. ] To exhibit; to manifest. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Mercy to mean offenders we'll ostend. J. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]