You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies, Will never do him good.
Shak.
8. Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer
passions; pathetic; as, tender expressions; tender expostulations; a
tender strain.
9. Apt to give pain; causing grief or pain; delicate; as, a tender
subject. "Things that are tender and unpleasing." Bacon.
10. (Naut.) Heeling over too easily when under sail; — said of a
vessel.
Tender is sometimes used in the formation of self- explaining
compounds; as, tender-footed, tender-looking, tender-minded,
tender-mouthed, and the like.
Syn. — Delicate; effeminate; soft; sensitive; compassionate; kind;
humane; merciful; pitiful.
Ten"der (?), n. [Cf. F. tendre.] Regard; care; kind concern. [Obs.]
Shak.
Ten"der, v. t. To have a care of; to be tender toward; hence, to
regard; to esteem; to value. [Obs.]
For first, next after life, he tendered her good.
Spenser.
Tender yourself more dearly.
Shak.
To see a prince in want would move a miser's charity. Our western
princes tendered his case, which they counted might be their own.
Fuller.
Ten"der*foot` (?), n. A delicate person; one not inured to the hardship
and rudeness of pioneer life. [Slang, Western U. S.]
Ten"der-heart`ed (?), a. Having great sensibility; susceptible of
impressions or influence; affectionate; pitying; sensitive. —
Ten"der-heart`ed*ly, adv. — Ten"der-heart`ed*ness, n.
Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted, and could not withstand them.