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Where does the word "tender" come from? It comes from Latin tener, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "tender" come from? It comes from Latin tener, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Tender’s story begins in Latin: tener meant “soft, delicate.” The root of 'tenderize'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tendre. Modern French 'tendre' still means soft and loving. It reached English by 1200s as tender. 'legal tender' is from a different word, 'tendre', to offer. Today, tender means gentle and kind; soft.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tener "soft, delicate", the root of 'tenderize'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval tendre "soft", modern French 'tendre' still means soft and loving.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s tender "soft; kind", 'legal tender' is from a different word, 'tendre', to offer.