tenor
tenor
UK[ˈtɛnə]US[ˈtɛnər]
n
a singing voice between baritone and alto or countertenor, or a singer with this voice.
n
an instrument, especially a saxophone, of a pitch range next below alto.
n
the general meaning, sense, or content of something.
n
the actual wording of a document.
n
the time that must elapse before a bill of exchange or promissory note becomes due for payment.
Etymology
the word "tenor" entered english in the late middle english period, borrowed from the old french "tenour," which itself derived from the latin "tenor," meaning "a holding on, a course, continuity." this latin noun stems from the verb "tenēre," meaning "to hold." the semantic journey is logical: from the core idea of "holding" or "a continuous course," the meaning extended to the "general sense or drift" of speech or writing. in music, the term was applied in the 14th century to the part that "held" the main melody line (the cantus firmus) in polyphonic music, which was typically sung by the adult male voice in its highest natural range, thus giving the voice type its name.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from latin. it is not productively formed from smaller, recognizable english morphemes.
Examples
he is a celebrated tenor who performs at the metropolitan opera.
the general tenor of her speech was optimistic and forward-looking.
please confirm the exact tenor of the clause before we sign the contract.