First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1tender
adjective ten·der \ˈten-dər\
: very loving and gentle : showing affection and love for someone or something
of food : easy to chew or bite : not tough
: painful when touched
Full Definition of TENDER
1
2
4
a : showing care : considerate, solicitous <tender regard> b : highly susceptible to impressions or emotions : impressionable <a tender conscience>
5
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
See tender defined for English-language learners
See tender defined for kids
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Origin of TENDER
Middle English, from Anglo-French tendre, from Latin tener; perhaps akin to Latin tenuis thin, slight — more at thin
2tender
noun
Definition of TENDER
obsoleteOrigin of TENDER
1tender
First Known Use: 13th century
3tender
verb
ten·deredten·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\
Definition of TENDER
transitive verb
2
archaic : to regard or treat with tenderness
intransitive verb
: to become tender
First Known Use of TENDER
14th century
4tender
verb
ten·deredten·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\
Definition of TENDER
transitive verb
1
: to make a tender of
2
: to present for acceptance : offer <tendered my resignation>
intransitive verb
: to make a bid or tender
Origin of TENDER
Middle English tendren, from Anglo-French tendre offer
First Known Use: 15th century
5tender
noun, often attributive
Definition of TENDER
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
Origin of TENDER
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
First Known Use: circa 1543
Other Business Terms
6tender
noun tend·er \ˈten-dər\
Definition of TENDER
: 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
First Known Use of TENDER
1675
7tender
noun
Definition of TENDER
: an often breaded strip of usually breast meat <chicken tenders>; also : the tenderloin of a chicken
Origin of TENDER
probably short for tenderloin
First Known Use: 1983
TENDERNESS Defined for Kids
1tender
adjective ten·der \ˈten-dər\
ten·der·erten·der·est
Definition of TENDER for Kids
1
: not tough <a tender steak>
2
: delicate 4 <tender plants>
3
: 1young 1 <He left home at a tender age.>
4
: feeling or showing love
5
: very easily hurt <a tender scar> <His tender old feet moved from one smooth rock to another. — Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows.>
— ten·der·ly adverb <She smiled tenderly.>
— ten·der·ness noun
2tender
verb
ten·deredten·der·ing
Definition of TENDER for Kids
1
: to offer in payment
2
: to present for acceptance <She tendered her resignation.>
3tender
noun
4tender
noun tend·er \ˈten-dər\
Definition of TENDER for Kids
1
: a boat that carries passengers or freight to a larger ship
2
: a car attached to a locomotive for carrying fuel or water
Medical Dictionary
tender
adjective ten·der \ˈten-dər\
Medical Definition of TENDER
: sensitive to touch or palpation <tender skin> <a tender palpable kidney>
—ten·der·ness \-nəs\ noun
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