Thin and graceful; of small width or diameter; also meaning small in amount or meager.
From Middle English 'slendre,' possibly from Old Norse 'slœndr' or related to 'sling.' The word entered English around 1300 and originally could mean both thin and flexible.
In fashion and art, 'slender' is always considered beautiful, but linguistically it's interesting that we imported this Germanic/Norse word for 'thin' while keeping Latin-rooted 'graceful'—we actually separate the physical from the aesthetic.
Gendered body descriptor with asymmetric cultural valuation. Applied to women as positive/requirement; applied to men as neutral. Reinforces narrow female aesthetic standards tied to fashion/beauty industries.
Use descriptively when body shape is relevant (clothing fit, ergonomic design). Avoid as aesthetic judgment or implicit value marker.
["narrow","thin","tapered"]
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