(ten′dər) adjective
1. Yielding easily to force that tends to crush, bruise, break, or injure; soft or delicate.
2. Easily chewed or cut: said of food, especially meat.
3. Delicate or weak; not strong or hardy.
4. Youthful and delicate; not strengthened by maturity: a tender age.
5. Characterized by or expressive of a delicate sensibility; kind; affectionate; gentle: tender mercy; a tender father.
6. Capable of arousing sensitive feelings; touching: tender memories; a tender sight.
7. Susceptible to spiritual or moral feelings: a tender conscience.
8. Painful if touched; easily pained: a tender sore.
9. Of delicate effect or quality; soft: a tender light.
10. Requiring deft or delicate treatment; ticklish; touchy: a tender subject.
11. Naut. Careening too easily under sail: said of a ship. See synonyms under BLAND, FRAGILE, FRIENDLY, HUMANE, MERCIFUL.
—v.t. To make tender; soften. [<OF tendre <L tener, teneris]
—ten′der·ly adverb
—ten′·der·ness noun

(ten′dər) v.t.
1. To present for acceptance, as a resignation; offer.
2. Law To proffer, as money, in payment, in discharge of a debt, or to fulfil a contract.
—noun
1. The act of tendering; an offer; specifically, in law, a formal offer of satisfaction.
2. That which is offered as payment, especially money: legal tender. [<F tendre <L tendere extend, tend]
—ten′der·er noun

(ten′dər) noun
1. A vessel used to bring supplies, passengers, and crew back and forth between a larger vessel and a nearby shore; also, a vessel which services another at sea.
2. A boat used to carry provisions, etc., to whalers and lighthouses.
3. A vehicle attached to the rear of a steam locomotive to carry fuel and water for it.
4. One who tends or ministers to. [<TEND²]