spark vs tender

spark

noun
  • A ship's radio operator. 

  • A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle. 

  • Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the Indomalayan genus Sinthusa. 

  • An electrician. 

  • A small amount of something, such as an idea or romantic affection, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire. 

  • A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire. 

  • A short or small burst of electrical discharge. 

  • A gallant; a foppish young man. 

  • A beau, lover. 

verb
  • To shoot; to fire 

  • To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc). 

  • To give off a spark or sparks. 

  • To light; to kindle. 

tender

noun
  • A naval ship that functions as a mobile base for other ships. 

  • Any offer or proposal made for acceptance. 

  • A smaller boat used for transportation between a large ship and the shore. 

  • A formal offer to buy or sell something. 

  • A railroad car towed behind a steam engine to carry fuel and water. 

  • A means of payment such as a check or cheque, cash or credit card. 

  • Anything which is offered, proffered, put forth or bid with the expectation of a response, answer, or reply. 

  • The inner flight muscle (pectoralis minor) of poultry. 

adv
  • tenderly 

verb
  • to offer a payment, as at sales or auctions. 

  • To offer, to give. 

  • To work on a tender. 

adj
  • Easily bruised or injured; not firm or hard; delicate. 

  • Heeling over too easily when under sail; said of a vessel. 

  • Sensible to impression and pain; easily pained. 

  • Soft and easily chewed. 

  • Apt to give pain; causing grief or pain; delicate. 

  • Physically weak; not able to endure hardship. 

  • Sensitive or painful to the touch. 

  • Fond, loving, gentle, or sweet. 

  • Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer passions; pathetic. 

  • Young and inexperienced. 

How often have the words spark and tender occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )