n. either of two games (lawn tennis and real tennis) in which two or four players strike a ball with rackets over a net stretched across a court.
Phrases and idioms:
tennis-ball a ball used in playing tennis. tennis-court a court used in playing tennis. tennis elbow a sprain caused by or as by playing tennis. tennis-racket a racket used in playing tennis. tennis shoe a light canvas or leather soft-soled shoe suitable for tennis or general casual wear.
Etymology: ME tenetz, tenes, etc., app. f. OF tenez 'take, receive', called by the server to an opponent, imper. of tenir take