Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for TEN'DER-NESS
TEN'DER-NESS, n.
- The state of being tender or easily broken, bruised, or injured; softness; brittleness; as, the tenderness of a thread; the tenderness of flesh.
- The state of being easily hurt; soreness; as, the tenderness of flesh when bruised or inflamed.
- Susceptibility of the softer passions; sensibility. Well we know your tenderness of heart. Shak.
- Kind attention; anxiety for the good of another, or to save him from pain. Bacon.
- Scrupulousness; caution; extreme care or concern not to give or to commit offense; as, tenderness of conscience. South.
- Cautious care to preserve or not to injure; as, a tenderness of reputation. Gov. of the Tongue.
- Softness of expression; pathos.
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