1 (gentle, affectionate) [+person, expression, kiss, word] tierno; [+voice] lleno de ternura he gave her a tender smile le sonrió tiernamente con ternura;or a child needs tender loving care un niño necesita que le den cariño y que lo cuiden
those who attempt suicide tend to receive less than tender loving care from hospitals, doctors and nurses
to bid sb a tender farewell (literary) despedirse de algn con ternura; dar a algn una cariñosa despedida
2 especially (humorous) (young) tierno at the tender age of seven a la tierna edad de siete años; in spite of his tender years a pesar de su tierna edad
3 (sensitive, sore) sensible; dolorido the skin will be tender for a while la piel te dolerá durante algún tiempo
the back of my head was bruised and tender Her breasts felt extremely tender Whenever we rub a tender spot we are giving a form of massage He touched the tender, swollen side of his jaw If you have never been pregnant, it's easy to overlook the significance of signs like tender breasts or frequent trips to the loo
tender to the touch sensible al tacto
her legs were swollen and tender to the touch
4 (Cookery) [+meat, vegetables] tierno cook the vegetables until tender cocer las verduras hasta que estén se pongan tiernas;or
cook for about 4 minutes or until tender
5 (Bot) [+plant] delicado; [+shoot] tierno Tender plants growing against walls can be protected with a layer of fine netting Start to lift vulnerable plants and tubs of tender shrubs and bring them inside for the winter This [crop] was at its most tender stage. ...a way of stopping slugs and snails damaging young and tender shoots As the field turned green, woody [plants] put forth tender new growth
