Definition

1. Noun:

   • The general meaning, substance, or drift of something spoken or written: The "tenor" refers to the overall sense, direction, or character of a discourse, argument, or piece of writing.
   • A settled or habitual course of a person's life: "Tenor" can describe the general routine, character, or pattern of someone's life or existence.
   • An adult male singing voice with the highest natural range: In music, "tenor" is the highest standard male voice type, above baritone.
   • The pitch range of the highest male voice: This refers to the specific musical range itself.
   • A singer with such a voice: A person who sings with a tenor voice.
   • A musical instrument with a similar range: An instrument, like a saxophone, that plays in a range comparable to the tenor voice.

2. Adjective:

   • Of or relating to the tenor voice or its range: Describes something pertaining to the highest natural adult male singing voice.
   • Of a musical instrument: Intermediate in range and size between alto and baritone or bass.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (General Meaning):

  • The overall tenor of the meeting was optimistic.
  • I understood the tenor of his argument, even if I disagreed with the details.

• Noun (Course of Life):

  • She lived her life in a quiet, peaceful tenor.
  • Nothing disturbed the even tenor of their days in the countryside.

• Noun (Music - Voice/Range):

  • He is a talented tenor in the opera company.
  • The part is written for tenor.

• Adjective:

  • He has a beautiful tenor voice.
  • She plays the tenor saxophone in the jazz band.

Advanced Usage

• "Tenor of the times": The general character, mood, or trends of a particular period.

  • His policies were out of step with the liberal tenor of the times.

• Legal/Financial Context: In older or formal usage, "tenor" can refer to the exact wording of a document or the time period until a financial instrument (like a bill) matures.

  • The tenor of the contract was clear and unambiguous.

Variants and Related Words

• Tenorist (noun, rare): A person who plays a tenor instrument.
• Tenor clef (noun): A C clef indicating that the fourth line of the staff represents middle C, sometimes used for tenor voice parts in choral music.

Synonyms

• Noun (Meaning): Gist, drift, substance, import, thrust, tone, spirit.
• Noun (Voice): (No direct synonym for the voice type, but related to) High male voice.
• Adjective: (For voice/instrument) High-pitched (in the male vocal context).

Related Phrases

• To follow the tenor of: To understand or go along with the general meaning or direction of something.
  • It was difficult to follow the tenor of his rambling speech.

Related Idioms

• The even tenor of one's way(s): A calm, steady, and undisturbed course of life.
  • After retirement, they enjoyed the even tenor of their ways in the village.

Adjective

1. of or close in range to the highest natural adult male voice
   • tenor voice
2. (of a musical instrument) intermediate between alto and baritone or bass
   • a tenor sax

Noun

1. the general meaning or substance of an utterance
   • although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument
2. a settled or prevailing or habitual course of a person's life
   • nothing disturbed the even tenor of her ways
3. an adult male with a tenor voice
4. the pitch range of the highest male voice
5. the adult male singing voice above baritone