(1)娇嫩的，易于损伤的(easily damaged，broken or hurt; delicate; fragile)：～blossoms/flowers/plants/petals 娇嫩的花朵/花朵/植物/花瓣;～green leaves绿色的嫩叶;～shoots幼芽;～skin 娇嫩的皮肤;〖同〗delicate;

(2)敏感的，一触即痛的(sore，sensitive，painful because of damage，illness，etc)：a～tooth/throat 发炎疼痛的牙/喉咙;a rather～subject 一个相当敏感的问题;My finger/leg is still very (quite)～where it was bruised. 我手指/腿部的擦伤处仍然一触即痛。〖同〗sensitive，painful，sore，aching;

(3)和蔼，慈祥的;温柔的，亲切的(kind;having a delicate quality;loving;gentle)：a～heart/song 一副软心肠/一首温柔的歌;～looks/words/parents/loving care 温柔的神情/亲切的话语/慈祥的父母/悉心体贴的照顾;a～glance/message 深情的一瞥/信息;She has a～way with people. 她待人和蔼。bid sb a～farewell 与别人亲切地道别;〖同〗kind;〖反〗unkind;

(4)(指肉)嫩，易(切)的(easily chewed or cut)：～beef/steak 嫩牛肉/牛排;～green beans/pieces of meat 煮得很烂的青豆/肉块;〖反〗tough，hard;

(5)年纪小的，不懂事的(young，inexperienced;immature)：a child of～years 年幼不懂事的孩子;at a～age 年幼发育未成熟的;of～age 年幼发育未成熟的;

→′tenderize，-ise vt 使(肉)嫩，使柔软;′tenderly adv 深情地，温情地;′tenderness n 柔情，和蔼，娇嫩;′tenderfoot n 新手;′tender-hearted adj 心肠慈善的