Lend (l&ebreve;nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lent (l&ebreve;nt); p. pr. & vb. n. Lending.]
[OE. lenen, AS. l&aemacr;nan, fr. l&aemacr;n loan; akin to
G. lehnen to lend. See Loan.] 1. To allow the
custody and use of, on condition of the return of
the same; to
grant the temporary use of; as, to lend a book; -- opposed to borrow.
Give me that
ring.
I'll lend it thee, my dear,
but have no
power
To give it from
me.
Shak. 2.
To allow the possession and use of, on condition of the return
of an equivalent in kind; as, to
lend money or some article of food.
Thou shalt not give him
thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
Levit. xxv. 37.
3. To afford; to grant or furnish in general; as, to lend assistance; to lend one's
name or influence.
Cato, lend me for
a while thy
patience.
Addison.
Mountain lines and distant horizons lend space and largeness to his compositions.
J. A. Symonds.
4. To let
for hire or
compensation; as, to lend a
horse or gig.
&fist; This use of the word is rare in the United States, except with reference to money.
To lend a hand, to give assistance; to help. [Colloq.] -- To lend an ear or one's ears, to give attention.
Hear it pronounced