Difference between revisions of "Tenderness"
From Nordan Symposia
Jump to navigationJump to search (Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Origin== Middle English, from Anglo-French tendre, from Latin tener; perhaps akin to Latin tenuis thin, sl...') |
|||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
*Date: 13th century | *Date: 13th century | ||
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
| − | *1 a : having a soft or yielding texture : easily broken, cut, or damaged : delicate, fragile <tender feet> | + | *1 a : having a soft or yielding [[texture]] : easily broken, cut, or damaged : delicate, fragile <tender feet> |
:b : easily chewed : succulent | :b : easily chewed : succulent | ||
| − | *2 a : | + | *2 a : [[physical]]ly weak : not able to endure hardship |
:b : immature, young <children of tender age> | :b : immature, young <children of tender age> | ||
:c : incapable of resisting cold : not hardy <tender perennials> | :c : incapable of resisting cold : not hardy <tender perennials> | ||
| − | *3 : marked by, responding to, or expressing the softer | + | *3 : marked by, responding to, or expressing the softer [[emotion]]s : fond, loving <a tender lover> |
*4 a : showing care : considerate, solicitous <tender regard> | *4 a : showing care : considerate, solicitous <tender regard> | ||
:b : highly susceptible to impressions or emotions : impressionable <a tender conscience> | :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> | + | *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> | + | :b : delicate or soft in [[quality]] or [[tone]] <never before heard the piano sound so tender — Elva S. Daniels> |
*6 obsolete : dear, precious | *6 obsolete : dear, precious | ||
| − | *7 a : sensitive to touch or palpation <the bruise was still tender> | + | *7 a : sensitive to [[touch]] or palpation <the bruise was still tender> |
:b : sensitive to injury or insult : touchy <tender pride> | :b : sensitive to injury or insult : touchy <tender pride> | ||
:c : demanding careful and sensitive handling : ticklish <a tender situation> | :c : demanding careful and sensitive handling : ticklish <a tender situation> | ||
Revision as of 12:15, 10 October 2009
Origin
Middle English, from Anglo-French tendre, from Latin tener; perhaps akin to Latin tenuis thin, slight — more at thin
- Date: 13th century
Definitions
- 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
