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intenerate

[ in-ten-uh-reyt ]
/ ɪnˈtɛn əˌreɪt /
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verb (used with object), in·ten·er·at·ed, in·ten·er·at·ing.
to make soft or tender; soften.
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Origin of intenerate

1585–95; in-2 + Latin tenertender1 + -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM intenerate

in·ten·er·a·tion, noun

Words nearby intenerate

intendant, intended, intendency, intending, intendment, intenerate, Intens, intense, intensely, intensifier, intensify
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use intenerate in a sentence

  • Thus she contrives to intenerate the granite and felspar, takes the boar out and puts the lamb in and keeps her balance true.

    Essays, First Series|Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • The verb intenerate tried to turn out soften; and deturpate to take the place of defile.

    A Brief History of the English Language and Literature, Vol. 2 (of 2)|John Miller Dow Meiklejohn

  • Thus she contrives to intenerate the granite and felspar, takes the boar out and puts the lamb in, and keeps her balance true.

    Essays|Ralph Waldo Emerson

British Dictionary definitions for intenerate

intenerate
/ (ɪnˈtɛnəˌreɪt) /
verb
(tr) rare to soften or make tender

Derived forms of intenerate

inteneration, noun

Word Origin for intenerate

C16: from in- ² + Latin tener delicate, tender 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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