Tĕn'der-ness, n.
n. 1. The state or quality of being tender or easily broken, bruised, or injured; softness; brittleness; delicacy; as, the tenderness of a thread; the tenderness of flesh.
Here I saw the new fabric of French tapestry, for design, for tenderness of work, . . . beyond any thing I had ever beheld. Evelyn.
Sense 2. The state of being easily hurt; soreness; as, the tenderness of flesh when bruised or inflamed.
Sense 3. Susceptibility to the softer passions; sensibility.
Well we know your tenderness of heart. Shak.
Sense 4. Kind attention; anxiety for the good of another, or to save him from pain. “Conjugal tenderness and devotion.” Prescott.
Sense 5. Extreme care or concern not to give or to commit offense; scrupulousness; caution; as, tenderness of conscience.
Sense 6. Cautious care to preserve, or not to injure; as, a tenderness of reputation.
Sense 7. Softness of expression; pathos.
Synonyms— Benignity; humanity; benevolence; kindness; pity; clemency.