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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Tenderness


TEN'DERNESS, noun The state of being tender or easily broken, bruised or injured; softness; brittleness; as the tenderness of a thread; the tenderness of flesh.

1. The state of being easily hurt; soreness; as the tenderness of flesh when bruised or inflamed.

2. Susceptibility of the softer passions; sensibility.

Well we know your tenderness of heart.

3. Kind attention; anxiety for the good of another, or to save him from pain.

4. Scrupulousness; caution; extreme care or concern not to give or to commit offense; as tenderness of conscience.

5. Cautious care to preserve or not to injure; as a tenderness of reputation.

6. Softness of expression; pathos.