tender

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Gentle, kind, and loving.

   She gave the baby a tender kiss on the forehead.

2. 2
   adj

   (of food, especially meat) Soft and easy to cut or chew.

   The steak was so tender it almost melted in my mouth.

3. 3
   adj

   Sore and painful when touched.

   My arm felt tender where I had bumped it.

From Middle English tender, tendere, from Anglo-Norman tender, Old French tendre, from Latin tener, tenerum (“soft, delicate”).

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