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.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI