[ten.ure] n [ME, fr. MF teneure, tenure, fr. ML tenitura, fr. (assumed) VL tenitus, pp. of L tenere to hold--more at thin] (15c) 1: the act, right, manner, or term of holding something (as a landed property, a position, or an office); esp: a status granted after a trial period to a teacher that gives protection from summary dismissal
2: grasp, hold -- ten.ur.able adj -- te.nur.ial adj -- te.nur.ial.ly adv