What's expressed primarily by tender man, rambling? (10)
I believe the answer is:
endearment
'what's expressed primarily by tender man rambling?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'expressed primarily by tender man rambling?' is the wordplay.
'primarily' suggests taking the first letters.
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'rambling?' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'rambling' mean this).
The initial letter of 'expressed' is 'e'.
'tender'+'man'='tenderman'
'tenderman' with letters rearranged gives 'ndearment'.
'e'+'ndearment'='ENDEARMENT'
(Other definitions for endearment that I've seen before include "Word of affection" , "Fondness" , "Affectionate utterance" , "Expression of love" , "Love, affection" .)