Etymology Map
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Tender

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means gentle and kind; soft

Where does the word "tender" come from? It comes from Latin tener, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
tener
Latin · ancient
"soft, delicate"
the root of 'tenderize'
2
Stage 2 of 3
tendre
Old French · medieval
"soft"
modern French 'tendre' still means soft and loving
3
Stage 3 of 3
tender
English · 1200s
"soft; kind"
'legal tender' is from a different word, 'tendre', to offer
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Read the full story

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.