v. Obs. Also 3–4 attend, 4 atent. [late OE. atęndan, f. A- pref. 1 or 4 + tęndan to TIND; cf. earlier OE. ontęndan.]
1. trans. To set on fire, kindle.
[994. O. E. Chron. (Laud). Hi mid fyre ontendan woldon.] Ibid. (1006). Hi … atendon heora beacna.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 107. Leomene fader … for þan þe he sunne atend.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2413. A candlee he attendeþ.
c. 1400. Beryn, 2727. A stoon, that is so hote of kynde That what thing com forby, anoon it woll a tend.
b. fig.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 95. Heortan þet calde weren … beon atende to þan heofenliche biboden.
a. 1225. Passion Our Lord, 661, O. E. Misc., 56. Hi weren of þe holy goste attende.
2. intr. To take fire.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. iv. Þis tre ‘Abies’ atenteþ ful sone, and brenneþ with lyȝte leye.
