n.
Pronunciation: ' ten-y ə r also - ˌ yu ̇ r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French teneure, tenure, from Medieval Latin tenitura, from Vulgar Latin *tenitus, past participle of Latin ten ē re to hold ― more at THIN
Date: 15th century
1 : the act, right, manner, or term of holding something (as a landed property, a position, or an office) especially : a status granted after a trial period to a teacher that gives protection from summary dismissal
2 : GRASP , HOLD
– ten · ur · able \ - ə -b ə l \ adjective
– te · nur · ial \ te- ' nyu ̇ r- ē - ə l \ adjective
– te · nur · ial · ly \ - ə -l ē \ adverb