What is tenderness?

Despite constant use inthe artistic literature of this concept, what is tenderness, is difficult to explain in words. And in some dictionaries, the definition of the meaning of this word is simply missing (for example, in Dahl or in Philosophical).

• In Ushakov's dictionary - tenderness is denoted aspositive feeling, and also - softness, affection for someone. Ozhegov tenderness - a manifestation of affection and love. For example: to look with tenderness, whisper sweet tenderness.
• In the Medical - tenderness is conditionedbehavioral manifestations of a person (a smile, certain actions, embraces, glances) that color emotionally love relationships. Here, tenderness is almost equalized with love, affection.
• In the Ethnographic - the concept of "tenderness" producesfrom the word "neg" and define as joyful pleasure, bliss and ecstasy. And also - awe to a loved one, an object of love (or an expression of the ability to take care of it).
• And yet - tenderness is defined as one of the manifestations of femininity. Therefore, probably, not only kids, but also adults are looking for comfort in it at a difficult moment.
• Sometimes tenderness is understood as a feeling of love in the absence of attraction and passion, not aggravated by sex. But this is not an exact definition.

It remains to add that tenderness is the property of materials (easy damage and softness), and the characteristic of actions aimed at not damaging anything.

For more information on the meaning of different words, see Definitions.