— tenorless , adj.
/ten"euhr/ , n.
1. the course of thought or meaning that runs through something written or spoken; purport; drift.
2. continuous course, progress, or movement.
3. Rhet. the subject of a metaphor, as "she" in "She is a rose." Cf. vehicle (def. 8).
4. Music.
a. the adult male voice intermediate between the bass and the alto or countertenor.
b. a part sung by or written for such a voice, esp. the next to the lowest part in four-part harmony.
c. a singer with such a voice.
d. an instrument corresponding in compass to this voice, esp. the viola.
e. the lowest-toned bell of a peal.
5. quality, character, or condition.
adj.
6. Music. of, pertaining to, or having the compass of a tenor.
[ 1250-1300; ten ( ere ) to hold + -or -OR 1 ; r. ME ten ( o ) ur ]
Syn. 1. sense, import, content, substance, gist.