Hold tenderly is an expression that conveys the idea of caring for something or someone with gentleness and affection. The term can be used to describe a variety of situations, such as a parent cradling a newborn baby, or a person embracing a loved one. The crossword solution for this term is 'CRADLE, ' which is a noun that refers to a bed or bassinet for a baby, or a device used to support and protect something fragile. In this context, it implies that the object or person being held is being treated with care and tenderness.