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 : succulent2 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>6obsolete : dear, precious7 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> dof a boat : easily tipped by an external force

— ten·der·ly adverb

— ten·der·ness noun