Tenderness
/ˈtɛn.dər.nəs/noun
The quality of being gentle, loving, or kind.
Did you know?In ancient rituals, tenderness was often associated with the vulnerability required for sacrifice, hinting at the deep emotional power embedded in the word.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ten-
“to stretch, to extend”
Latin
Latin
tendere
“to stretch or to strive for”
Old French
Old French
tendre
“to stretch or to be tender”
Middle English
Middle English
tendren
“to be tender, soft, or delicate”
Modern English
English
tenderness
“the quality of being tender, gentle, or affectionate.”