tender

1
[ ten-der ]
/ ˈtɛn dər /

adjective, ten·der·er, ten·der·est.

verb (used with object)

to make tender.
Archaic. to regard or treat tenderly.

Origin of tender

1
1175–1225; Middle English, variant of tendre < Old French < Latin tenerum, accusative of tener tender

OTHER WORDS FROM tender

ten·der·ly, adverb ten·der·ness, noun self-ten·der·ness, noun un·ten·der·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tender

tender tenor tenure

Example sentences from the Web for tenderly

British Dictionary definitions for tenderly (1 of 3)

tender 1
/ (ˈtɛndə) /

adjective

verb

(tr) rare
  1. to make tender
  2. to treat tenderly

Derived forms of tender

tenderly, adverb tenderness, noun

Word Origin for tender

C13: from Old French tendre, from Latin tener delicate

British Dictionary definitions for tenderly (2 of 3)

tender 2
/ (ˈtɛndə) /

verb

(tr) to give, present, or offer to tender one's resignation; tender a bid
(intr foll by for) to make a formal offer or estimate for (a job or contract)
(tr) law to offer (money or goods) in settlement of a debt or claim

noun

the act or an instance of tendering; offer
commerce a formal offer to supply specified goods or services at a stated cost or rate
something, esp money, used as an official medium of payment legal tender

Derived forms of tender

tenderable, adjective tenderer, noun

Word Origin for tender

C16: from Anglo-French tendre, from Latin tendere to extend; see tend 1

British Dictionary definitions for tenderly (3 of 3)

tender 3
/ (ˈtɛndə) /

noun

a small boat, such as a dinghy, towed or carried by a yacht or ship
a vehicle drawn behind a steam locomotive to carry the fuel and water
an ancillary vehicle used to carry supplies, spare parts, etc, for a mobile operation, such as an outside broadcast
a person who tends

Word Origin for tender

C15: variant of attender

Medical definitions for tenderly

tender
[ tĕndər ]

adj.

Easily crushed or bruised; fragile.
Easily hurt; sensitive.
Painful; sore.

Idioms and Phrases with tenderly

tender

see leave to someone's tender mercies.