amend

v. t. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mar not the thing that can not be amended. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

An instant emergency, granting no possibility for revision, or opening for amended thought. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

We shall cheer her sorrows, and amend her blood, by wedding her to a Norman. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To Amend, Emend, Correct, Reform, Rectify. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being amended; as, an amendable writ or error. -- A*mend"a*ble*ness, n. [1913 Webster]

a. Supplying amendment; corrective; emendatory. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. See Amend. ] A pecuniary punishment or fine; a reparation or recantation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Amende honorable (Old French Law) A species of infamous punishment in which the offender, being led into court with a rope about his neck, and a lighted torch in his hand, begged pardon of his God, the court, etc. In popular language, the phrase now denotes a public apology or recantation, and reparation to an injured party, for improper language or treatment. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who amends. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Much improving. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. amendement, LL. amendamentum. ] 1. An alteration or change for the better; correction of a fault or of faults; reformation of life by quitting vices. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In public bodies; Any alternation made or proposed to be made in a bill or motion by adding, changing, substituting, or omitting. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) Correction of an error in a writ or process. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Improvement; reformation; emendation. [ 1913 Webster ]