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A Writer's Dictionary:

tender Definition


Dictionary Home » Words Starting with T » tempestuous ... tenor clef » tender


tend1
verb tended, tending
    1. To take care of or look after someone or something; to wait on or serve them.
      Thesaurus: manage, handle, maintain, keep, guard, protect, minister to, nurse, serve, comfort, cultivate, control; Antonym: neglect.
    2. To attend to it.
      Form: tend to something
Derivative: tender
noun
    (see also tender3).
Etymology: 14c: variant of attend.




tender1
adj
    1. Soft and delicate; fragile.
      Thesaurus: soft, delicate, fragile, frail, gentle, supple.
    2. Said of meat: easily chewed or cut.
    3. Easily damaged or grieved; sensitive.
      Example: a tender heart
    4. Easily hurt when touched, especially because of having been hurt before.
    5. Loving and gentle.
      Example: tender words
      Thesaurus: tender-hearted, soft-hearted, kind, gentle, compassionate, sympathetic, caring; Antonym: insensitive.
    6. Easily moved to love, pity or guilt, etc.
      Example: a tender conscience
    7. Youthful and vulnerable.
      Example: of tender years
      Thesaurus: young, green, impressionable, immature, inexperienced, new, childish, childlike.
    8. Requiring gentle or careful handling.
Derivative: tenderly
adverb
    Derivative: tenderness
    noun
      The quality of being loving and gentle
        Thesaurus: kindness, benevolence, compassion, sympathy, humanity, caring, mercy, love, sensitivity, care, loving-kindness, warmth, affection; Antonym: cruelty, harshness.
    Etymology: 13c: from French tendre, from Latin tener.




    tender2
    verb tendered, tendering
      1. To offer or present (an apology or resignation, etc).
        Thesaurus: offer, give, extend, submit, volunteer, present, proffer, advance.
      2. To make a formal offer to do (work or supply goods) for a stated amount of money and within a stated period of time.
        Form: tender for something (usually)
    noun
      1. A formal offer, usually in writing, to do work or supply goods for a stated amount of money and within a stated period of time.
    Idiom: put something out to tender
      To invite tenders for (a job or undertaking).
    Etymology: 16c: from Latin tendere to stretch.




    tender3
    noun
      1. A person who looks after something or someone.
        Example: bartender
      2. A small boat which carries stores or passengers to and from a larger boat.
      3. A railway wagon attached to a steam-engine to carry fuel and water. See also tend1.


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