Crossword Dictionary
TENDER
tender - a
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality; "a tender heart"; "a tender smile"; "tender loving care"; "tender memories"; "a tender mother"
young and immature; "at a tender age"
Synonyms
delicate, supple, breakable, dainty, frail, effete, feeble, weak
Examples
Patients may not receive the tender, loving care once associated with a hospital stay.
He had become attracted to the game at the tender age of seven.
Cook for a minimum of 2 hours, or until the meat is tender.
Etymology
"soft, easily injured," early 13c., from Old French tendre "soft, delicate; young" (11c.), from Latin tenerem (nominative tener) "soft, delicate; of tender age, youthful," from a derivative of PIE root *ten- "to stretch," on the notion of "stretched," hence "thin," hence "weak" or "young." Compare Sanskrit tarunah "young, tender," Greek teren "tender, delicate," Armenian t'arm "young, fresh, green."