mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective.
mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.
mended the torn dress
repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.
repaired the back steps
patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.
patch worn jeans
rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.
a rebuilt automobile engine
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French reparer, from Latin reparare, from re- + parare to prepare — more at pare
Verb (2)
Middle English, from Anglo-French repairer to go back, return from Late Latin repatriare to go home again, from Latin re- + patria native country — more at expatriate