I. ˈte-nər 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 metaphor
2.
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 alto
3. : a continuance in a course, movement, or activity
4. : habitual condition : character
Synonyms: see tendency
II. adjective
Date: 1522
: relating to or having the range or part of a tenor