I. ten·der ˈten-dər adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French tendre, from Latin tener; perhaps akin to Latin tenuis thin, slight — more at thin
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : having a soft or yielding texture : easily broken, cut, or damaged : delicate , fragile
tender feet
b. : easily chewed : succulent
2.
a. : physically weak : not able to endure hardship
b. : immature , young
children of tender age
c. : incapable of resisting cold : not hardy
tender perennials
3. : marked by, responding to, or expressing the softer emotions : fond , loving
a tender lover
4.
a. : showing care : considerate , solicitous
tender regard
b. : highly susceptible to impressions or emotions : impressionable
a tender conscience
5.
a. : appropriate or conducive to a delicate or sensitive constitution or character : gentle , mild
tender breeding
tender irony
b. : delicate or soft in quality or tone
never before heard the piano sound so tender — Elva S. Daniels
6. obsolete : dear , precious
7.
a. : sensitive to touch or palpation
the bruise was still tender
b. : sensitive to injury or insult : touchy
tender pride
c. : demanding careful and sensitive handling : ticklish
a tender situation
d. of a boat : easily tipped by an external force
• ten·der·ly adverb
• ten·der·ness noun
II. tender noun
Etymology: tender (I)
Date: 13th century
obsolete : consideration , regard
III. tender verb
( ten·dered ; ten·der·ing -d(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to make tender : soften , weaken
2. archaic : to regard or treat with tenderness
intransitive verb
: to become tender
IV. tender verb
( ten·dered ; ten·der·ing -d(ə-)riŋ)
Etymology: Middle English tendren, from Anglo-French tendre offer
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to make a tender of
2. : to present for acceptance : offer
tender ed my resignation
intransitive verb
: to make a bid or tender
tender for a building contract
tender ed for six percent of the stock
V. tender noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English tendur grant of a license, from Anglo-French tendre offer, tender, from tendre, verb, to stretch, hold out, offer, direct, from Latin tendere to stretch, direct — more at thin
Date: circa 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. : tender offer
3. : something that may be offered in payment ; specifically : money
VI. tend·er ˈten-dər noun
Date: 1675
: one that tends: as
a.
(1) : a ship employed to attend other ships (as to supply provisions)
(2) : a boat for communication or transportation 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
VII. tender noun
Etymology: probably short for tenderloin
Date: 1983
: an often breaded strip of usually breast meat
chicken tender s
also : the tenderloin of a chicken