a. Entom. [f. L. tener tender + -AL.] Said of the imperfect imago of a neuropterous insect, when it has just emerged from the pupa state, and is still soft. In quot. fig.
1891. in Cent. Dict.
1902. Sat. Rev., XCIII. 1 March, 256/2. Whence the perfect insect, the Liberal League, has now emerged in triumph, though at present perhaps in a teneral state, not yet endowed with its full brilliancy of colour.
