tenor: [13] Latin tenor was derived from the verb tenēre ‘hold’ (source also of English tenacious, tenant, etc), and so etymologically denoted ‘that which is held to’, hence a ‘continuous course’. This evolved in due course into the ‘general sense or import’ of a piece of speech or writing, in which sense English acquired it via Anglo- Norman tenur. The musical term tenor, which is basically the same word, arrived in the 14th century via Italian tenore and Old French tenor. It denotes etymologically the voice that ‘holds’ the melodic line. => tenant
tenor (n.)
c. 1300, "general meaning, prevailing course, purpose, drift," from Old French tenor "substance, contents, meaning, sense; tenor part in music" (13c. Modern French teneur), from Latin tenorem (nominative tenor) "a course," originally "continuance, uninterrupted course, a holding on," from tenere "to hold" (see tenet). The musical sense of "high male voice" is attested from late 14c. in English, so-called because the sustained melody (canto fermo) was carried by the tenor's part. Meaning "singer with a tenor voice" is from late 15c. As an adjective in this sense from 1520s.
例文
1. Her dreams were troubled，reflecting the tenor of her waking hours.
彼女は夢の中で不安になり、昼間の生活の基調を反映している。
2.This small part was taken with elan by a promising young tenor .
という小節を、有望な若手テノールが熱演した。
3.The whole tenor of discusions has changed.
議論の全体的な主旨が変わった。
4.I was encouraged by the general tenor of his remarks.
彼の言葉の要点は私を大いに奮い立たせた。
5.The whole tenor of the meeting was very positive.