Main Entry: ¹ten·der

Pronunciation: \ˈten-dər\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French tendre, from Latin tener; perhaps akin to Latin tenuis thin, slight — more at thin

Date: 13th century

1 a : having a soft or yielding texture : easily broken, cut, or damaged : delicate, fragile <tender feet> b : easily chewed : succulent
2 a : physically weak : not able to endure hardship b : immature, young <children of tender age> c : incapable of resisting cold : not hardy <tender perennials>
3 : marked by, responding to, or expressing the softer emotions : fond, loving <a tender lover>
4 a : showing care : considerate, solicitous <tender regard> b : highly susceptible to impressions or emotions : impressionable <a tender conscience>
5 a : appropriate or conducive to a delicate or sensitive constitution or character : gentle, mild <tender breeding> <tender irony> b : delicate or soft in quality or tone <never before heard the piano sound so tender — Elva S. Daniels>
6 obsolete : dear, precious
7 a : sensitive to touch or palpation <the bruise was still tender> b : sensitive to injury or insult : touchy <tender pride> c : demanding careful and sensitive handling : ticklish <a tender situation> d of a boat : easily tipped by an external force

— ten·der·ly adverb

— ten·der·ness noun