ten·der
1
(t
n
d
r)
KEY
ADJECTIVE:
ten·der·er
,
ten·der·est
-
- Easily crushed or bruised; fragile:
a tender petal.
- Easily chewed or cut:
tender beef.
- Young and vulnerable:
of tender age.
- Frail; delicate.
- Sensitive to frost or severe cold; not hardy:
tender green shoots.
-
- Easily hurt; sensitive:
tender skin.
- Painful; sore:
a tender tooth.
-
- Considerate and protective; solicitous:
a tender mother; his tender concern.
- Characterized by or expressing gentle emotions; loving:
a tender glance; a tender ballad.
- Given to sympathy or sentimentality; soft:
a tender heart.
-
Nautical
Likely to heel easily under sail; crank.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
ten·dered
,
ten·der·ing
,
ten·ders
- To make tender.
-
Archaic
To treat with tender regard.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French
tendre, from Latin
tener; see
ten- in Indo-European roots
OTHER FORMS:
tender·ly
(Adverb),
tender·ness
(Noun)
