Definition of "tenor"

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, William Gilmore Simms, The Partisan, Harper, Chapter XI, page 145

It is the conſciouſneſs of this merited approbation and eſteem which is alone capable of ſupporting the agent in this tenour of conduct.

1790, Adam Smith, “Of the Beauty which the Appearance of Utility Bestows upon the Charactes and Actions of Men; Creech, and J. Bell & Co., part IV, page 481

Along the cool sequestered vale of life / They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.

1751, Thomas Gray, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

This success would look like chance, if it were perpetual, and always of the same tenor.

1700, [John] Dryden, “Palamon and Arcite: Or, The Knight’s Tale. In Three Books.”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […]

Than he shall delyuer to vs a tenour of that he ought to do.

1523, Lord Berners, The Chronicle of Froissart

When it [the bond] is paid according to the tenor.

c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene i]

He would have learned , by the whole tenor of the divine law , and especially by the example of the absent Lord , whose property he was for a season trusted with , that he was to do as much good to humanity , and win as much glory to God, as was compatible with the measure of his trust, and for the time for which he might retain it.

1832, Caroline Wilson, The Listener

The general tenor of the report on No. 35020 is that all the improvements in performance aimed at in the rebuilding of these engines have been achieved.

1960 March, “Testing a rebuilt "Merchant Navy" Pacific of the S.R.”, in Trains Illustrated, page 169

Many a star athlete has very little hair anywhere except what he wears on top of his head, and a voice that is absolutely tenor.

1962, Frank Howard Richardson, For Parents Only: The Doctor Discusses Discipline

Sometimes Charlie would sing notes that were more tenor than original melody, forcing Bill to sing a high baritone-style line.

2009, Richard Smith, Can't You Hear Me Calling: The Life of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass, Da Capo Press

The door swung open, and a masculine voice—a little more tenor than Brookes's bass tones—called, “Brookes, come in. Do you have your colleague with you?”

2012, Lily George, Captain of Her Heart, Harlequin, page 173

Kahn was not a big man and he had a voice that was a little more tenor than most preferred.

2015, Michael J. Senger Sr., The Connection, Lulu Press, Inc