6 entries found for tender.
To select an entry, click on it.
Main Entry: 1ten·der
Pronunciation: ten-dr
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English tender "tender, fragile," from early French tendre (same meaning), from Latin tener "having a soft yielding texture, tender, young" 1: having a soft or yielding quality <tender steak> 2 a: physically weak : DELICATE <a tender plant> b: IMMATURE, YOUNG <children of tender years> 3: LOVING, AFFECTIONATE <a tender look> 4: showing care : CONSIDERATE 5: not harsh or stern : GENTLE, MILD <tender irony> 6: sensitive to touch : very easily hurt <a tender bruise> 7: demanding careful and sensitive handling <a tender subject> - ten·der·lyadverb - ten·der·nessnoun