tener Latin · revision 5448

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *teru-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈtɛ.nɛr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈtɛː.ner]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''tener''' (feminine tenera, neuter tenerum, comparative tenerior, superlative tenerrimus, adverb tenerē); first/second-declension adjective (nominative masculine singular in -er)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is disputed.^(Wiktionary) De Vaan proposes [[itc-pro|*terVno-|t=soft]] from [[ine-pro|*teru-no-|t=tender]], with the consonants switched, comparing [[sa|तरुण|tr=táruṇa|t=young, tender]] and [[grc|τέρην|tr=térēn|t=soft, delicate]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) The OLD adds [[sbv|tereno-|t=soft]].^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short, and Wiktionary as an alternative, derive it instead from the root of [[teneō]] and [[tenuis]], *ten- “to stretch”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) In Plautus a lover speaks of soft little bites from tender lips.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant physically soft and delicate, of the body, and then of tender age or young, of animals and plants as well as people.^(OLD 2012) Food was ''tener'' when tender, substances when soft or friable, and surfaces such as a couch or grass when yielding.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ It survives in [[fr|tendre]], [[es|tierno]] and Romanian ''tânăr'' “young”, and French ''tendre'' gave [[en|tender]] about 1200.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus speaks of tender lips.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato tells how to make a cake softer.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1200 – English ''tender'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|Soft]], [[m|en|tender]], delicate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Young, of tender age.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of food) Tender.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of substances) Soft, friable.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of surfaces) Soft, yielding.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[praetener]]

+ * [[tenellus]]

+ * [[tenerescō]]

+ * [[teneritās]]

+ * [[teneritūdō]]

+ * [[tenellulus]]

+ * [[tenerāscō]]

+ * [[tenerē]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|tender]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}