tender

I

ten•der

[[t]ˈtɛn dər[/t]] adj. -der•er, -der•est, v.

1) soft or delicate in substance; not hard or tough:

a tender steak[/ex]

2) weak or delicate in constitution; not strong or hardy

3) bot (of plants) unable to withstand freezing temperatures

4) young or immature:

children of tender age[/ex]

5) delicate or gentle:

the tender touch of her hand[/ex]

6) easily moved to sympathy or compassion:

a tender heart[/ex]

7) affectionate or sentimental:

a tender glance[/ex]

8) acutely or painfully sensitive:

a tender bruise[/ex]

9) easily distressed:

a tender conscience[/ex]

10) of a delicate or ticklish nature; requiring careful handling:

a tender subject[/ex]

11) naut. navig.

crank II

12) to make tender

13) archaic to regard or treat tenderly

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Etymology: 1175–1225; ME, var. of tendre < OF < L tenerum, acc. of tener tender ten′der•ly, adv. ten′der•ness, n. II

ten•der

[[t]ˈtɛn dər[/t]] v. t.

1) to present formally for acceptance; make formal offer of:

to tender one's resignation[/ex]

2) to offer or proffer

3) law Law. to offer (money, goods, etc.) in payment of an obligation and in exact accordance with its terms

4) ecn to make or submit a bid (often fol. by for)

5) an offer of something for acceptance

6) something tendered or offered, esp. money, as in payment

7) bus an offer made in writing by one party to another to execute certain work, supply certain commodities, etc., at a given cost

8) law Law. an offer of money, goods, etc., in satisfaction of a debt

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Etymology: 1535–45; earlier tendre < AF ten′der•er, n. III

tend•er

[[t]ˈtɛn dər[/t]] n.

1) a person who attends to or takes charge of someone or something

2) naut. navig. an auxiliary ship employed to attend one or more other ships, as for supplying provisions

3) naut. navig. a dinghy carried or towed by a yacht

4) rai a railroad car attached to a steam locomotive for carrying fuel and water

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Etymology: 1425–75; late ME; orig. aph. var. of attender