n. [ L., from tenere to hold; hence, properly, a holding on in a continued course: cf. F. teneur. See Tenable, and cf. Tenor a kind of voice. ] 1. A state of holding on in a continuous course; manner of continuity; constant mode; general tendency; course; career. [ 1913 Webster ] Along the cool sequestered vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their away. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. That course of thought which holds on through a discourse; the general drift or course of thought; purport; intent; meaning; understanding. [ 1913 Webster ] When it [ the bond ] is paid according to the tenor. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Does not the whole tenor of the divine law positively require humility and meekness to all men? Spart. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Stamp; character; nature. [ 1913 Webster ] This success would look like chance, if it were perpetual, and always of the same tenor. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Law) 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. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. [ F. ténor, L. tenor, properly, a holding; -- so called because the tenor was the voice which took and held the principal part, the plain song, air, or tune, to which the other voices supplied a harmony above and below: cf. It. tenore. ] (Mus.) (a) The higher of the two kinds of voices usually belonging to adult males; hence, the part in the harmony adapted to this voice; the second of the four parts in the scale of sounds, reckoning from the base, and originally the air, to which the other parts were auxillary. (b) A person who sings the tenor, or the instrument that play it. [ 1913 Webster ]
Old Tenor,
New Tenor,
Middle Tenor, different descriptions of paper money, issued at different periods, by the American colonial governments in the last century. [ 1913 Webster ]
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