Main Entry:: ¹ten·or
Pronunciation:: \ˈte-nər\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English tenour, from Anglo-French, from Latin tenor uninterrupted course, from tenēre to hold — more at thin
Date:: 14th century

1 a: the drift of something spoken or written : purport b: an exact copy of a writing : transcript c: the concept, object, or person meant in a metaphor2 a: the melodic line usually forming the cantus firmus in medieval music b: the voice part next to the lowest in a 4-part chorus c: the highest natural adult male singing voice ; also : a person having this voice d: a member of a family of instruments having a range next lower than that of the alto3: a continuance in a course, movement, or activity4: habitual condition : character

synonyms see tendency

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