rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytenorGeneral character
noun

tenor

The overall character or message of something.

The friendly tenor of her email puts everyone at ease.

Etymology
tenorLatincourse or continuity

The Latin word concerns a continuous course. A document's tenor is the line of meaning or overall character that runs through it.

More examples

  • His apology changes the tenor of the conversation.
  • Despite a few criticisms, the overall tenor of the report is positive.
  • The speech has a distinctly hopeful tenor.

Forms

tenor

Similar words

tone
Emphasizes the attitude or feeling conveyed by expression.
gist
Means the essential point rather than the overall character.
spirit
Emphasizes underlying intention rather than the words actually used.