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, adverbWords nearby tender
Example sentences from the Web for tenderness
British Dictionary definitions for tenderness (1 of 3)
tender
1
/ (ˈtɛndə) /
adjective
verb
(tr) rare
- to make tender
- to treat tenderly
Derived forms of tender
tenderly, adverb tenderness, nounWord Origin for tender
C13: from Old French
tendre, from Latin
tener delicate
British Dictionary definitions for tenderness (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, nounWord Origin for tender
C16: from Anglo-French
tendre, from Latin
tendere to extend; see
tend
1
British Dictionary definitions for tenderness (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 tenderness (1 of 2)
tenderness
[ tĕn′dər-nĭs ]
n.
The condition of being tender or sore to the touch.
Medical definitions for tenderness (2 of 2)
tender
[ tĕn′dər ]
adj.
Easily crushed or bruised; fragile.
Easily hurt; sensitive.
Painful; sore.
Idioms and Phrases with tenderness
tender
see leave to someone's tender mercies.