tenor /ˈtɛnə(ɹ)/noun 12adjective 1forms 1 noun12 •A musical range or section higher than bass and lower than alto. •A person, instrument, or group that performs in the tenor (higher than bass and lower than alto) range. •(informal) A tenor saxophone. •Tone, as of a conversation.Colonel Walton, who had striven to check the conversation at moments when he became conscious of its tenor, now gladly engaged his guest on other and more legitimate topics. — 1835 •That course of thought which holds on through a discourse; the general drift or course of thought; purport; intent; meaning; understanding.When it [the bond] is paid according to the tenor. — 1596 •Time to maturity of a bond. •The lowest tuned in a ring of bells. •Stamp; character; nature.This success would look like chance, if it were perpetual, and always of the same tenor. — 1700 •The subject in a metaphor to which attributes are ascribed. •An exact copy of a writing, set forth in the words and figures of it. It differs from purport, which is only the substance or general import of the instrument.Than he shall delyuer to vs a tenour of that he ought to do. — 1523 •(no longer used) duration; continuance; a state of holding on in a continuous course; general tendency; career.It is the consciousness of this merited approbation and esteem which is alone capable of supporting the agent in this tenour of conduct. — 1790 •(no longer used) A musical part or section that holds or performs the main melody, as opposed to the contratenor bassus and contratenor altus, who perform countermelodies. adjective1 •Of or pertaining to the tenor part or range.He has a tenor voice. formstenors
