Also 3–7 amendement; aphet. mendment. [a. OFr. amendement f. amender: see AMEND and -MENT.] The action of amending, whether in process, or as completed.
1. Removal of faults, correction, reformation.
a. of human conduct. absol. = self-reformation.
1297. R. Glouc., 472. Ȝuf eni man in mansinge were ibrouȝt, & suþþe come to amendment.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. IV. 122. A sarmon he made In amendement of meyres.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour, 60. Withoute amendement thei be dampned.
1557. N. T. (Genev.), Matt. iii. 8. Ye fruites belongyng to amendement of life.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., I. ii. 114. I see a good amendment of life in thee: from Praying, to Purse-taking.
1732. Law, Serious Call, xxiii. (ed. 2), 467. Without any remorse of mind, or true desire of amendment.
1839. J. H. Newman, Par. Serm., IV. vii. 111. Men commonly think that amendment is an expiation.
b. of faults or errors in things, as a book, a law, etc.
1599. Thynne, Animadv., 59. The former printe … deseruethe amendemente.
1759. Dilworth, Pope, 17. Mr. Pope promised to revise his poems … finding great room for amendment.
1762. Goldsm., Beau Nash, 57. This amendment of the law soon gave birth to new evasions.
1843. Mill, Logic, Introd. 2. Has adopted the above definition with an amendment.
c. Law. Correction of error in a writ or process.
1607. Cowell, Interpr. (1637), D j b. Amendment … a correction of an errour committed in a Processe, and espied before judgement.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. xxv. (R.). Courts, where justice requires it, will allow of amendments.
1809. Tomlins, Law Dict., G ij b/2. The court gave leave to file a right bill … This was done as an amendment at common law.
d. The alteration of a bill before Parliament. Hence concr. A clause, paragraph, or words proposed to be substituted for others, or to be inserted, in a bill (the result of the adoption of which may even be to defeat the measure; see AMEND 4).
1696. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), IV. 149. The commons reason for disagreeing to the lords amendment.
1710. Lond. Gaz., mmmmdcciii/2. A Bill for the better securing the Liberty of the Subject … was agreed to with some Amendments.
1825. T. Jefferson, Autobiog., Wks. 1859, I. 48. This should be … attempted only by way of amendment, whenever the bill should be brought on.
1883. Daily News, 4 May, 3/5. The House divided on the amendment by Sir R. Cross, that the bill be read a second time on that day six months.
e. In a Public Meeting. A proposed alteration in the terms of a resolution submitted to a meeting for adoption; extended to a resolution proposed instead of or in opposition to another; a counter-motion.
(During the period from 1840 to 1848, it was the practice in some parts of the country where the Chartists were strong, to move ‘The People’s Charter’ as an ‘amendment’ to every resolution proposed in Public Meeting on any subject whatever.)
† 2. Repair, mending (of things damaged). Obs.
1602. Fulbecke, 2nd Pt. Parall., 52. The tenant may cut trees for the amendment of houses.
1682. Lond. Gaz., mdcclv/3. [The Engine] has daily forced up great quantities of Water … without the least error or amendment.
3. General ‘improvement’ of condition.
1297. R. Glouc., 404. Non maner hope hii nadde, to amendement to come.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 30. If there be amendement To gladde with this wofull king.
1576. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 261. A fair to be holden—for the amendment of the Towne.
1691. Ray, Creation, 164 (J.). Her [Nature’s] works are so perfect that there is no place for amendments.
1868. Ruskin, Pol. Econ. Art, Add. 186. If the points that I want amended seem to you incapable of amendment, or not in need of amendment, say so.
4. Improvement in health, recovery from illness.
1526. Tindale, Mark v. 26. [She] … felte none amendment [Wyclif, was no thing amendid] at all, But wexed worsse.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, I. i. 12. Count. What hope is there of his maiesties amendment? Laf. He hach abandon’d his Physitions, Madam.
1745. H. Walpole, Lett. to H. Mann, 121 (1834), II. 22. His recovery is now at such a pause … it is in vain to expect much further amendment.
† 5. Amends-making, reparation. Obs.
1297. R. Glouc., 54. Þat he for ys neueu wolde … Do hey amendement.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Reeves T., 265. Syn I sal have nan amendement Agayn my los.
c. 1450. Merlin, v. 79. Yef the pees and the a-mendement to the lady lay in me.
† 6. ‘Improvement’ of the soil; concr. that which improves the soil, manure. Obs.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, IV. x. (1483), 62. Yet sawe I neuer tree that wold nought saue hym seluen by moysture … yf hit myght be and receyuen tylthe and amendement.
1668. Child, Disc. Trade (ed. 4), 241. If a man borrow five pounds, and bestow it on an acre of ground, the amendment stands him in ten shillings the year.
1699. Evelyn, Acetaria (1729), 156. Chalk, Lime, and other sweet Soil and Amendments.
