tenderness

Etymology

tender + -ness

noun

1. a tendency to express warm, compassionate feelings
   When the lovers were together, their cold indifference gave way to love and tenderness.
   I had known him jealous, suspicious; I had seen about him certain tendernesses, fitfulnesses—a softness which came like a warm air, and a ruth which passed like early dew, dried in the heat of his irritabilities: this was all I had seen. 1853, Charlotte Brontë, Villette
2. concern for the feelings or welfare of others
   When they saw the poor orphans, they were overwhelmed with tenderness for them.
   Everybody needs a little tenderness sometimes.
3. pain or discomfort when an affected area is touched
   He noted her extreme tenderness when he touched the bruise on her thigh.