[ten.der] adj [ME, fr. OF tendre, fr. L tener; perh. akin to L tenuis thin, slight--more at thin] (13c) 1 a: having a soft or yielding texture: easily broken, cut, or damaged: delicate, fragile "~ feet" b: easily chewed: succulent
2. a: physically weak: not able to endure hardship b: immature, young "children of ~ years" c: incapable of resisting cold: not hardy
3: marked by, responding to, or expressing the softer emotions: fond, loving "a ~ lover"
4. a: showing care: considerate, solicitous "~ regard" b: highly susceptible to impressions or emotions: impressionable "a ~ conscience"
5. a: appropriate or conducive to a delicate or sensitive constitution or character: gentle, mild "~ breeding" "~ irony" b: delicate or soft in quality or tone "never before heard the piano sound so ~ --Elva S. Daniels"
6. obs: dear, precious
7. a: sensitive to touch or palpation "the bruise was still ~" b: sensitive to injury or insult: touchy "~ pride" c: demanding careful and sensitive handling: ticklish "a ~ situation" d of a ship: [5]crank -- ten.der.ly adv -- ten.der.ness n
[2]tender vb ten.dered ; ten.der.ing vt (14c) 1: to make tender: soften, weaken
2. archaic: to regard or treat with tenderness ~ vi: to become tender [3]tender vb ten.dered ; ten.der.ing [MF tendre to stretch, stretch out, offer--more at tend] vt (1535) 1: to make a tender of
2: to present for acceptance: offer "~ed my resignation" ~ vi: to make a bid or tender "~ for a building contract" "~ed for 6% of the stock" [4]tender n, often attrib (ca. 1543) 1: an unconditional offer of money or service in satisfaction of a debt or obligation made to save a penalty or forfeiture for nonpayment or nonperformance
2: an offer or proposal made for acceptance: as a: an offer of a bid for a contract b: a public expression of willingness to buy not less than a specified number of shares of a stock at a fixed price from stockholders usu. in an attempt to gain control of the issuing company
3: something that may be offered in payment; specif: money [5]tender n [[1]tender] (1596) obs: consideration, regard [6]tend.er n (1675): one that tends: as a (1): a ship employed to attend other ships (as to supply provisions) (2): a boat for communication between shore and a larger ship (3): a warship that provides logistic support b: a car attached to a steam locomotive for carrying a supply of fuel and water