tendresse

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word tendresse. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word tendresse, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say tendresse in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word tendresse you have here. The definition of the word tendresse will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition oftendresse, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French tendresse

Noun

tendresse (plural tendresses)

  1. tenderness, gentle intimacy or affection
    • 1974 February 2, Jonathan Cross, “Poor Butterfly”, in Gay Community News, volume 1, number 32, page 4:
      When Papillon makes his last impossible try for freedom they embrace with the tendresse of lovers, however manly and platonic.
    • 2023 January 11, Peter Bradshaw, “Tár review – Cate Blanchett is perfect lead in delirious, sensual drama”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
      Tár has furthermore conceived a tendresse for a new cellist.

French

Etymology

From tendre +‎ -esse. Compare Occitan and Catalan tendresa, Italian tenerezza, Aromanian tinireatsã, Old Sicilian tinirizza, Romanian tinerețe, Spanish and Portuguese terneza.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /tɑ̃.dʁɛs/
  • Rhymes: -ɛs
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

tendresse f (plural tendresses)

  1. Tenderness, state of being tender.

Further reading