ten·der1 /ˈtendə $ -ər/ ●○○ adjectiveadj 1 food 食物DFSOFT tender food is easy to cut and eat, especially because it has been well cooked 嫩的,软的〔尤指烹饪恰到好处〕 OPP tough Continue cooking until the meat is tender. 把肉一直烧到松软为止。
► see thesaurus at soft 2 part of your body 身体的部位HURT/CAUSE PAIN a part of your body that is tender is painful if someone touches it 一触即痛的 My arm is still tender where I bruised it. 我手臂撞伤的地方仍然一碰就疼。
► see thesaurus at painful 3 gentle 温柔的LOVE gentle and careful in a way that shows love 温柔的;体贴入微的;慈爱的 Her voice was tender and soft. 她的声音温柔亲切。
a slow, tender kiss 一个绵长温柔的吻
4 easily damaged 容易损坏的HBP easily damaged – used especially about plants or flowers 娇嫩的,幼嫩的,易损坏的〔尤指植物或花〕 tender plants that were killed by the harsh winter 被严冬天气冻死的幼嫩植株
6 tender age YOUNGthe time when you are young or do not have much experience 幼小的年龄,年幼时期at the tender age of four/five/six etc Nicholas was sent to boarding school at the tender age of seven. 尼古拉斯在年龄只有七岁时就被送进了寄宿学校。
at the tender age of four/five/six etc• Alongside me was Sam Ratcliffe who, at the tender age of sixteen, had already had quite a bit of publicity.• And it has just happened to Kate Moss at the tender age of 18. —tenderly adverbadv
—tenderness noun [uncountableU]